Denzel Washington's Same-Sex Kiss Cut from Gladiator II

Denzel Washington has revealed that a same-sex kiss scene he filmed for Gladiator II was cut from the final version of the film. The scene, where Washington's character Macrinus kisses another man before killing him shortly after, was initially included in the script but deemed inappropriate by the studio. Washington humorously noted, 'I think they got chicken,' suggesting hesitance around the portrayal of same-sex interactions. This revelation comes alongside news that another scene featuring Paul Mescal kissing Pedro Pascal was also omitted from the theatrical release. Despite the cuts, Washington's performance has sparked early Oscar buzz, particularly for Best Supporting Actor. Gladiator II is set to premiere in theaters on November 22, 2024.