As Gladiator 2 nears its release, director Ridley Scott and actor Denzel Washington addressed reports of a deleted same-s*x kiss scene, clarifying its absence from the final cut. Cast members Connie Nielsen and producer Michael Pruss also discussed the film’s edits and their impact on the story.

Denzel Washington may have said that his same-sex kiss in “Gladiator II” was cut from the movie because the powers that be got “chicken,” but, according to director Ridley Scott, the kiss may not have happened at all.

Director Ridley Scott has refuted Denzel Washington's claim that he filmed a same-sex kiss but it was cut from Gladiator II. The Oscar-winning actor hit headlines last week when he revealed during an interview that he "kissed a guy full on the lips" for a scene in Scott's action epic but it was cut from the final movie.