Ridley Scott and Denzel Washington recently addressed previous remarks regarding a same-sex kiss that was omitted from Gladiator II. Washington had stated before that his character, Macrinus, kisses a man “full on the lips” just before killing him, adding that the scene was cut because “I think they got chicken.” Macrinus, an influential arms dealer, plays a crucial role in the sequel’s narrative.
At the Gladiator II premiere in Hollywood, Scott and Washington provided further clarification in an interview with Variety. Scott firmly rejected the notion that the kiss ever occurred, dismissing it as “bulls***” and stating, “They never did. They acted the moment – it didn’t happen.”
Washington, on the other hand, acknowledged that the kiss did take place but characterized it as a minor moment, saying, “It really is much ado about nothing. They’re making more of it than it was. I kissed him on his hands, I gave him a peck and I killed him.”
While the scene featuring the kiss has garnered attention, both Scott and Washington emphasized that it was not central to the storyline. The character who Macrinus kisses is not a significant figure in Gladiator II, as he is killed shortly after the interaction. The scene’s purpose was likely to demonstrate Macrinus’ capacity for shifting from charm to cold ruthlessness rather than exploring his sexuality. If the kiss had been part of a larger plotline involving Macrinus’ relationships, its omission might have been viewed as more problematic. However, given its brevity, the absence of the kiss does not detract from Washington’s performance, which has been widely praised.
Gladiator II is now playing in theaters.
Leave a Comment