Ridley Scott denies that Denzel Washington had a same-sex kiss in Gladiator II

Director Sir Ridley Scott has called Denzel Washington’s assertion that his same-sex buss was chopped from caller movie Gladiator II “bullsh*t”.

Speaking astatine the Hollywood premiere of the movie – which besides stars Irish histrion Paul Mescal – Scott continued: “They ne'er did. They acted the infinitesimal – it didn’t happen.”

It comes arsenic 69-year-old Washington, who plays a bisexual enslaved trader successful the film, claimed past period successful an interrogation with Gayety that his quality had a same-sex buss successful the film. “I really kissed a antheral successful the movie but they took it out, they chopped it, I deliberation they got chicken. I kissed a feline afloat connected the lips and I conjecture they weren’t acceptable for that yet,” helium said.

However, it seems that manufacture seasoned Washington, who has starred successful a fig of blockbusters implicit the years, has changed his stance since the archetypal interview.

At the premiere, helium referred to the alleged country arsenic a “peck” connected the lips. “It truly is overmuch ado astir nothing. They’re making much of it than it was,” helium said. “I kissed him connected his hands, I gave him a peck and I killed him.”

Actress Connie Nielsen, who appeared successful the archetypal Gladiator movie arsenic good arsenic the sequel, told Variety connected Sunday that 1 of her scenes was besides chopped from the last edit. “My grieving country didn’t marque it into the movie either,” she said. “It’s not homophobia. It’s conscionable determination was nary country for it.”

The film, a sequel to the archetypal movie released successful 2000, has got positive reviews from critics and has grossed $87 cardinal (around £69 million) truthful far, breaking Scott’s box-office opening record. Another sequel is reportedly successful the works.

Mescal, 28, made headlines himself precocious aft saying that gathering King Charles astatine past week’s London premiere of the movie was not connected his “list of priorities”. “How chaotic is it? It’s decidedly not thing that I thought was successful the bingo cards,” helium told Variety.

“I’m Irish, truthful it’s not connected the database of priorities. But it’s an astonishing happening for Ridley due to the fact that I cognize however important that is for him.”