Gladiator II star Denzel Washington revealed that a kiss scene between his character Macrinus and another man was cut from the final film. Directed by Ridley Scott, the highly anticipated sequel to his award-winning, 24-year-old epic Gladiator, features Washington as Macrinus, an opportunistic arms dealer and former slave, who trains Maximus’ son Lucius (Paul Mescal) to become a gladiator. Gladiator 2‘s theatrical release date is set for November 22, 2024.
In an interview with Gayety, Washington discussed a kiss he decided to include in a scene of Gladiator II, sharing that the exchange was ultimately left on the cutting room floor. Here’s what Washington had to say about his cut scene:
I actually kissed a man in the film, but they took it out. They cut it. I think they got chicken. 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.
What Washington’s Gay Kiss In Gladiator II Means
What The Actor’s Removed Scene Could Have Brought to the Film
Denzel Washington’s reveal that a same-sex kiss was cut from Gladiator II highlights both the evolving norms and continuing hesitations in Hollywood when it comes to queer representation, especially in blockbuster franchises. It’s worth noting that Washington’s kiss wasn’t the only one removed – Paul Mescal revealed that a kiss between his character and Pedro Pascal as General Acacius was similarly omitted (via EW).
Washington and the other leading actors’ propensity to include a kiss or two in the film and Scott’s desire to maintain a cutthroat atmosphere surrounding the film aren’t necessarily mutually exclusive. Sex and power are historically linked—particularly among Roman and Greek men—and perhaps Denzel Washington’s character understood that.
The decision to cut the kiss scene, however, reflects the industry’s ongoing hesitation towards queer themes in mainstream works…
Set in a world where political allegiances turn violent in an instant, the kiss could have underscored the tension and unpredictability of the Roman world. Washington’s remarks suggest that it was as much a strategic power move for Macrinus as a portrayal of norms, giving audiences a glimpse of his volatile character before he quickly killed him. With or without the kiss, Washington is still posed to be a great addition to Scott’s epic. As Screen Rant‘s Graeme Guttman notes in his Gladiator 2 review, “Macrinus is perhaps one of the more well-written characters in the film.”
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Gladiator 2 Cast & Character Guide
The Gladiator sequel boasts a cast of characters both old and new, with actors from Stranger Things and The Mandalorian joining the epic story.
The decision to cut the kiss scene, however, reflects the industry’s ongoing hesitation towards queer themes in mainstream works, particularly in the action and historical genres where non-heteronormative expressions are often downplayed. Washington’s openness about the scene adds an intriguing “what-if” factor, leaving audiences curious about what the moment would have contributed to his character and the film.
Our Take On Denzel Washington’s Lost Kiss In Gladiator 2
What Could Washington’s Scene Have Brought To The Roman Epic?
Denzel Washington’s anecdote about his lost kiss scene in Gladiator 2 offers insight into the challenges of pushing boundaries within traditional movie-making conventions. While Scott has never shied away from controversy, even bold creatives sometimes pull back from risks. Macrinus, already layered with intrigue, might have been further elevated by such a scene, illustrating the nuance and cruelty of Roman political life. Nonetheless, as Gladiator II nears its release, the story behind Washington’s cut scene builds even further anticipation, leaving viewers wondering what could have been.
Source: Gayety
Gladiator 2 is the follow-up to Ridley Scott’s award-winning film Gladiator from 2000. Scott returns to direct the sequel, with Paul Mescal staring as Lucius, alongside Denzel Washington and Joseph Quinn as the villain Emperor Geta. Gladiator 2 had been stuck in development hell for years before a script written by David Scarpa finally moved forward.
- Release Date
- November 22, 2024
- Studio(s)
- Paramount Pictures , Universal Pictures , Scott Free Productions , Red Wagon Entertainment
- Distributor(s)
- Paramount Pictures
- Writers
- David Scarpa , Peter Craig , David Franzoni
- Cast
- Paul Mescal , Pedro Pascal , Denzel Washington , Connie Nielsen , Joseph Quinn , Fred Hechinger , Derek Jacobi , May Calamawy , Peter Mensah , Matt Lucas , Alexander Karim , Tim McInnerny , Lee Charles , Chidi Ajufo , Alfie Tempest , Riana Duce , Chi Lewis Parry , Paul Candelent , Hadrian Howard , Alexander Simkin , Mikhail Basmadjian , Matthew Charlery-Smith , Maxime Durand , Lior Raz
- Character(s)
- Lucius Verus , Marcus Acacius , Macrinus , Lucilla , Emperor Caracalla , Emperor Geta , Gracchus
- Main Genre
- Adventure