Denzel Washington says his same-sex kiss was cut from Gladiator 2

Denzel Washington has explained why he thinks his same-sex kiss didn't make the cut of Gladiator II.

The sequel to Ridley Scott's Oscar-winning film follows the story of Maximus’ (Russell Crowe) son Lucius (Paul Mescal), who actually makes an appearance in 2000's Gladiator.

Meanwhile, General Acacius (Pedro Pascal) is responsible for Lucius' struggles growing up as he plans to take revenge with the help of Washington's Roman businessman Macrinus.

You can take a look at the trailer below:

Gladiator II officially releases in the UK tomorrow (15 November) but some critics have already watched and reviewed the film.

The Guardian's Peter Bradshaw said the 'gobsmacking reboot' was a thrilling spectacle', while Robbie Collin for The Telegraph thought it was 'the year’s most relentlessly entertaining blockbuster' which 'isn’t quite as strong as its predecessor'.

While the general consensus, so far, is that it's not better than the original, what viewers didn't know was that the movie was supposed to include a same sex kiss, according to Washington.

Denzel Washington said his same-sex kiss didn't make the final cut of Gladiator II (Paramount Pictures)

The 69-year-old told Gayety: "I actually kissed a man in the film but they took it out, they cut it, I think they got chicken.

"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. It’s Gladiator. It’s the kiss of death."

Following the shock admission, fans were pretty stunned, as one wrote: "I can’t believe I exist in a universe where Denzel is like, 'they weren’t ready to see me kissing other men!!!'"

"Having a Denzel gay Kiss ON FILM and then choosing, entirely of your own will, NOT TO USE IT should actually be considered a crime against humanity," another said.

Gladiator II follows the story of Maximus’ (Russell Crowe) son Lucius (Paul Mescal) (Paramount Pictures)

"Cowards, probably would’ve been the most historically accurate part of the movie," someone else wrote.

This comes after GQ referred to certain scenes in the movie as being 'fruity'.

"Your movie can only boast so many close-ups of a shirtless Paul Mescal – sweat glistening over the surface of his pulsating biceps and taut stomach, lit as generously as an OnlyFans shoot – before it starts to feel a little… fruity," they wrote.

Well, Mescal also told The Project that it was seriously tough work getting in shape for the role.

"I was petrified that they were going to take away everything, like drinking, and I smoke. Everything fun," he admitted.

"I very earnestly was like, 'Look, Tim, I'm going to keep drinking and smoking for a little bit if I can'.

"He very kindly incorporated them, not into the workout routine, but just into my life."