*Fans of Denzel Washington expressed disappointment across social media after he revealed in a new video interview with Gayety that he kissed a man on the lips while filming “Gladiator II.”
The Oscar winner star explained that the scene was cut out from the theatrical cut of director Ridley Scott’s film because the studio, allegedly wasn’t “ready for that yet,” he said.
Washington, who plays Macrinus—a wealthy Roman powerbroker who owns a stable of gladiators—addressed a question about the character’s backstory during his conversation with Gaytey. According to Variety, the “Gladiator II” script reveals that Macrinus had past relationships with men. This led 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 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.”
Many fans of the veteran actor had mixed reactions to his onscreen gay kiss, with one X user commenting, “Such a disappointment and I heard he was a Christian. Well that explains why he went to a Diddy party.”
Another X added, “More crazy it was Hollywood that told Denzel no to the homo by cutting it.”
A third person wrote, “Man.. that’s disappointing very disappointing. And what’s worse is I was looking forward to this movie but I can’t watch it now.”
“Like Kat said they have to get everyone. I never thought he would be jumping on that wagon,” X user @Benpumpman added.
User @Devdefconservi wrote, “Denzel was at diddy parties. Is it really that surprising not saying he can’t change but he’s still in Hollywood so that should say all you need to know about him and any other celebrity that has a seemingly clean image.”
One fan noted, “Ok so it seems a lot yall didn’t know but gladiators in Rome were actually gay men and that’s a known fact.”
Denzel Washington openly admitted to kissing a man on set for the upcoming film 𝘎𝘭𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘰𝘳 2. Someone pointed out to me that Washington wouldn’t kiss Julia Roberts out of respect for his marriage. Now, he’s all good with kissing men? pic.twitter.com/vnTplIapSo
— Jason Whitlock (@WhitlockJason) November 15, 2024
Sports commentator Jason Whitlock added, “Denzel Washington openly admitted to kissing a man on set for the upcoming film 𝘎𝘭𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘰𝘳 2. Someone pointed out to me that Washington wouldn’t kiss Julia Roberts out of respect for his marriage. Now, he’s all good with kissing men?”
“Incredibly bizarre how this great actor and role model for all Americans would tarnish his career with this kind of nonsense after living a life in refusal to disrespect his familial status in his world of make believe. It’s just a weird choice. The capitulation is strange,” one X user commented.
Watch Washington’s full interview with Gayety in the video below.
“Gladiator II” opens in theaters Nov. 22.
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