Denzel Washington continues to bring powerhouse performances to the big screen, but there’s one moment in his latest film, Gladiator II, that audiences won’t get to witness. Playing Macrinus, a Roman emperor in this much-anticipated sequel to Ridley Scott’s original Gladiator (2000), Washington delivered a bold scene that ended up on the cutting room floor.
In a recent interview, Washington opened up about the scene, sharing that he filmed a same-sex kiss, a decision he felt added depth and authenticity to his character’s storyline within the Roman empire’s famously diverse and complex historical backdrop. The Oscar-winning actor, who’s known for his commanding presence in films like Training Day and Fences, said the kiss was later cut from the film.
“I actually kissed a man in the film, but they took it out. They cut it,” Washington said. “I think they got chicken.” He noted that the kiss was a straightforward decision he made to stay true to the nature of his character and the era he was portraying. “I kissed a guy full on the lips,” he added, then quipped, “I guess they weren’t ready for that yet.”
The kiss, however, wasn’t just a simple romantic gesture—it came with a darker twist. Washington joked that shortly after the kiss, his character ends up killing the other man, making it “a kiss of death.”
This unexpected move might have been a first for Washington, whose filmography spans decades but rarely delves into on-screen romantic dynamics that push conventional boundaries. As someone deeply committed to his craft, Washington appears to have embraced this layer of complexity in his character, reflecting the complicated relationships and power dynamics often associated with Rome’s leaders and emperors.
Gladiator II, helmed once again by Ridley Scott, introduces audiences to a new storyline set in ancient Rome, where politics, war, and intrigue blend against the backdrop of the empire’s notorious brutality. Paul Mescal, another major actor in the cast, plays the character Lucius Verus, who, in contrast to the more tyrannical figures around him, represents a younger and more impressionable presence in the Roman empire.
Interestingly, Washington’s cut kiss wasn’t the only unscripted display of affection that almost made it into Gladiator II. Mescal shared a humorous anecdote about a moment he shared with co-star Pedro Pascal during a rehearsal for a fight scene. In the middle of their intense combat practice, Mescal decided to add a touch of humor by kissing Pascal on the forehead. After completing the take, he reached out to Ridley Scott over the radio, asking if he thought the impromptu kiss added to the scene. Scott’s response? A crackling radio comeback with the words, “I’m afraid I did.”
The cut kiss and Mescal’s forehead-kissing moment reveal a side of Gladiator II that may surprise audiences. Although Scott chose to omit Washington’s kiss from the final cut, the scene’s absence still hints at the layered portrayals and risk-taking involved in the film’s development. It appears the filmmakers were willing to explore unconventional elements and character interactions, even if some of those moments didn’t ultimately make it to theaters.
Denzel Washington’s role as Macrinus, a powerful yet complex figure, is just one of the many facets of the film that promise to capture the audience’s attention. The decision to cut the kiss may reflect Hollywood’s continuing cautiousness regarding certain themes, yet Washington’s story about it adds a thought-provoking layer to the conversation about historical storytelling in film and authenticity versus marketable conservatism.
Fans of both Washington and Gladiator will be keen to see how these dynamic interactions and bold choices play out on the screen in Gladiator II, even if some of the more daring elements are left to viewers’ imaginations.
