Zack Sharf Digital News Director Denzel Washington revealed in a video interview with Gayety that he kissed a man on the lips while filming “Gladiator II,” but the scene was cut out from the theatrical cut of the long-awaited sequel.
The Oscar winner stars in Ridley Scott’s film as Macrinus, a wealthy powerbroker in Rome who keeps a stable of gladiators for sport.
The “Gladiator II” script mentions that Macrinus has been in relationships with other men in the past, which prompted Gaytey to ask Washington: “How gay is the Roman empire?” “I actually kissed a man in the film but they took it out, they cut it, I think they got chicken,” Washington then revealed. “I kissed a guy full on the lips and I guess they weren’t ready for that yet.
I killed him about five minutes later. It’s ‘Gladiator.’ It’s the kiss of death.” Washington is earning Oscar buzz in the best supporting actor category for his scene-chewing performance as Macrinus.