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."

'Gladiator II' director Sir Ridley Scott has claimed Denzel Washington's same-sex kiss in the movie "didn't happen", insisting it was only "acted out".

Director Sir Ridley Scott has called Denzel Washington’s claim that his same-sex kiss was cut from new film Gladiator II “bullsh*t ... The film, a sequel to the original movie released in 2000, has got positive reviews from critics and has grossed ...

According to TMZ, an insider on the Ridley Scott-directed movie says the kiss was cut because it was not in the script. They say Washington shot the scene several times, adding improvised elements each time. The kiss was an improvisation on his part.

Gladiator 2 arrives in theaters this weekend, and if you were hoping to see Denzel Washington’s character kiss a man, well I’ve got bad news for you. While that scene was apparently filmed, it was cut because, according to Washington, the people in charged chickened out.

Denzel Washington has reacted to Gladiator II axing his same-sex kiss from the final edit of the movie. The 69-year-old actor plays Macrinus, a wealthy Roman entrepreneur who keeps gladiators for sport, in the highly-anticipated sequel to the 2000 movie Gladiator.

Washington also rolled back on his earlier claim the scene was cut from the film, calling the kiss a ‘peck’