Director Ridley Scott added that it's "bullshit" a prolonged kiss was even filmed, as Washington later clarified it was just a "peck" and the discord is "really much ado about nothing."

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.

Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, Connie Nielsen and director Ridley Scott attended the Los Angeles premiere of "Gladiator II."