Gladiator 2: Denzel Washington's gay kiss was cut

A decision which “has nothing homophobic”, assures his playing partner Connie Nielsen.

Denzel Washington is currently acclaimed for his performance in Gladiator 2. The 69-year-old actor reunites with Ridley Scott, with whom he had already been praised for American Gangster (2007). This time, he plays Macrinus, a wealthy merchant, who invests his gold in gladiator fights, training expendable young recruits. While it is understood in the film that he may have had homosexual relationships in the past, this is not shown in the film. However, the actor assured Gaytey that he had filmed a scene where he kissed a man, but that it was cut.

“I kissed a man for this movie, but they didn't keep that scene. I think they were scared? I kissed him on the mouth, and maybe they weren't ready for this? Then, I killed this same character in the next five minutes. Gladiator. It’s the kiss of death.”

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Was it director Ridley Scott who deleted this kiss exchange? Or is it a studio decision? For his playing partner Connie Nielsen, this choice to cut this sequence is not homophobic. Interviewed on this subject by Varietyshe replies that other scenes had to be abandoned during editing:

“We all shot scenes that ultimately weren't in the film. It's not homophobia, it's just that there was no longer room for it.”

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Gladiator 2 has just been released in France and it’s off to a strong start. Here is its synopsis and trailer:

Years after witnessing the death of the revered hero Maximus at the hands of his uncle, Lucius is forced to enter the Colosseum when his country is conquered by the tyrannical emperors who now rule Rome with an iron fist. With rage in his heart and the future of the Empire at stake, Lucius must look to his past to find the strength and honor to restore the glory of Rome to his people.