Denzel Washington revealed in an interview with Gayety that a scene from Gladiator 2 in which he kisses another man was cut from the film.
The publication's reporter, Caitlynn McDaniel, mentioned how Washington's character, Macrinus, references his previous relationships with men throughout the film, prompting the 69-year-old actor's confession.
"I actually kissed a man in the film but they took it out, they cut it, I think they got chicken," Washington told McDaniel. "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," he added. "It’s Gladiator. It’s the kiss of death."
The two-time Oscar winner hinted at an uninhibited approach to playing Macrinus during a Q&A following a Paramount screening last month. Washington credited director Ridley Scott with creating the environment of Rome and allowing his actors to fully commit to their roles.
"What Ridley did which was great is he built Rome,” Washington said. “So all we had to do was put the clothes on and start talking. No, I’m serious. He built Rome. When you would walk around, you were in Rome, and it seemed like 10,000 extras and horses. It was make believe, it was play, it was fun. Just put the gear on, just put the dress on and go, that’s the way I looked at it. I’m putting this dress on, these rings, and I’m going crazy."
Gladiator 2 is in theaters on Nov. 22.