Actor Washington recently revealed that he had a gay scene in a film that was ultimately cut from the final version. The Oscar-winning actor, known for his roles in films such as “Glory” and “Training Day,” shared that he had a kissing scene with a man in the movie, but it was removed. “I actually kissed a man in the film, but they took it out,” Washington disclosed. “I think they got cold feet. 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.”
In other news, the long-awaited sequel to the epic film “Gladiator” faced its own challenges during production. The boat battle scene, which was filmed on location in Malta in the summer of 2023, experienced extreme temperatures reaching 110 degrees. However, production was halted due to an actors’ strike, and the scene had to be completed in January 2024 in much colder 50-degree weather.
Despite the anticipation surrounding “Gladiator II,” the film only received one Oscar nomination for Costume Design, ultimately losing to “Wicked.” In contrast, the original “Gladiator” was a major success, winning five Oscars including Best Picture, Best Actor for Russell Crowe, Best Supporting Actor for Joaquin Phoenix, Best Director for Ridley Scott, and Best Screenplay.
While “Gladiator II” did not reach the same level of critical acclaim as its predecessor, it still managed to make over $462 million at the box office, exceeding its budget of $250 million. However, the film fell short of the original “Gladiator,” which earned $465 million against a budget of $110 million.
Critics pointed out the shortcomings of the sequel, particularly criticizing Paul Mescal’s “wooden” acting and the historical inaccuracies present in the film. Despite these challenges, “Gladiator II” remains a notable entry in the franchise, with fans eagerly awaiting any future installments.
