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."

Gladiator II director Ridley Scott is shutting down claims that a same-sex kiss was cut from the new movie. Denzel Washington, who plays power-hungry former slave Macrinus in the film, recently said he kissed a man on the lips,

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