Denzel Washington Reveals ‘Gladiator II’ Scene Where He “Kissed A Man” Was Cut From Film

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"I kissed a guy full on the lips. I guess they weren't ready for that yet."

Denzel Washington is gearing up for the release of his “biggest film” yet, Gladiator II. During a recent press chat, the two-time Oscar-winner shared that his character within the film imparts a “kiss of death” on another man, but the scene was ultimately cut.

“Your character makes a few remarks throughout the film about having a relationship with other men in the film, so I wanted to ask; how gay is the Roman Empire?” questioned Gayety during a chat with the actor, shared to YouTube Oct. 31.

“The entire Empire?” Washington, 70, asks for clarification before adding, “I actually kissed a man in the film but they took it…they cut it. I think they got chicken… I kissed a guy full on the lips. I guess they weren’t ready for that yet.”

“I killed him about five minutes later,” the thespian added. “It’s Gladiator. It’s a kiss of death.”

Gayety added within the video’s description, “The ‘kiss of death’ refers to a symbolic gesture often used to signify betrayal or mark someone for elimination.” Check out the clip below.

Washington provided further insight into his character, Macrinus, during a discussion following a Paramount Studios screening in Los Angeles on Oct. 18.

Of his character, Washington shared, “He’s misunderstood. He’s misunderstood. He’s a nice fellow. He’s a product of his environment. He’s trying to use everybody. He’d use his mother, he’d use his own children; he’s already used up his soul, so he didn’t have any left. He’s in bed with the devil.”

He continued to detail of the extravagant film set, “When you would walk around, you were in Rome, and it seemed like 10,000 extras and horses. It was make-believe, it was play, it was fun; just put the gear on, put the dress on, and go, that’s the way I look at it. I’m putting this dress on, these rings and I’m going crazy!”

Gladiator II also stars Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, Lior Raz and more. The film is due in theaters on Nov. 22, 2024. Watch the official trailer below.