Ridley Scott is putting to rest rumors surrounding a same-sex kiss in Gladiator II. The acclaimed director responded to claims made by actor Denzel Washington, who had previously shared that he kissed a man on the lips in the film, but the scene was ultimately cut. Speaking to Variety at the Gladiator II Los Angeles premiere on November 18, Scott, 86, stated, “No, that’s b——t. It was a senator. They never did. They acted the moment and [it] didn’t happen.”

Washington, 69, had mentioned in an October 31 interview with Gayety that the kiss had been filmed but removed, claiming that the production "got chicken" and wasn't ready for such a moment. "I kissed a guy full on the lips and I guess they weren’t ready for that yet," he remarked. "I killed him about five minutes later. It’s Gladiator. It’s the kiss of death.”

However, Washington later downplayed the moment, describing it as a "peck" on the lips. “It really is much ado about nothing,” he said. “They’re making more of it than it was. I kissed him on his hands, I gave him a peck and I killed him.”

Producer Michael Pruss also weighed in on the matter, clarifying at the Gladiator II Governors Ball on November 17 that many scenes, including the kiss, were shot but did not make it into the final film. “There was so much stuff that was shot that didn’t make it into the film. It was truly a non-event,” he explained.

Actress Connie Nielsen, who reprises her role as Lucilla in the sequel, also shared that some of her scenes were cut, including one in which her character was grieving. “It’s not homophobia. It’s just there was no room for it,” she explained.

Meanwhile, Gladiator II star Paul Mescal, who plays Lucius, teased a tender moment with co-star Pedro Pascal, where he kissed Pascal on the forehead during a fight scene rehearsal. The scene did not make the final cut, but Mescal's playful exchange with director Ridley Scott about the kiss showed the lighthearted nature of the moment.

Gladiator II is set to hit theaters on November 22.