As a gamer who has spent countless hours immersed in the grandeur of epic sagas and historical dramas, I eagerly await the release of “Gladiator II.” The original film left an indelible mark on my gaming heart with its captivating storyline, stunning visuals, and unforgettable performances.
The upcoming sequel to Ridley Scott’s acclaimed film “Gladiator” in 2024 is generating significant excitement, and it’s not hard to understand why. The original film ranks among the best of the 2000s, and the sequel promises to uphold this legacy with an impressive cast, including Denzel Washington. Although early responses have already stirred speculation about Oscar nominations for the movie, the drama extends beyond the screen. During Monday’s Hollywood premiere, Scott addressed recent claims by Washington that a same-sex kiss was removed from the film, denying it as “nonsense.
In the sequel, Washington plays the mysterious character Macrinus. Previously, he sparked online discussions when he mentioned during an interview with Gaytey that a same-sex kiss scene was eliminated from the movie’s final version. However, the filmmaker dismissed the controversy in conversations with Variety at the Gladiator II premiere. When questioned about the rumored kiss, the director of Thelma & Louise simply stated:
He kissed the senator. You mean the senator? No, that’s bullshit… it was a senator.
During the video interview, it appears that a voice not visible on screen, likely connected to the production team, started to say, “We actually revisited the footage, and we found that…”. However, Scott interjected, concluding the statement prematurely.
They never did. They acted the moment — it didn’t happen.
According to Washington, the incident in discussion was a brief kiss on the lips, which he jokingly explained as the reason for its removal due to “getting caught up in the moment.” However, during an interview at the premiere of the sequel, the actor played down the controversy by stating:
The situation is overly exaggerated; they’ve turned it into a bigger deal than it actually was. I merely planted a small kiss on his hands, not a lethal one.
As someone who’s really into gaming news, I can relate when I hear about the buzz surrounding that supposed kiss incident. It’s got a lot of people talking, and rightfully so, given its potential impact on one of my favorite action movie franchises. The script hints that Washington’s character has been involved with men in the past, making it possible that this could have marked a groundbreaking moment for LGBTQ+ representation in the genre. However, producer Michael Pruss seems to be downplaying the controversy, attributing it to the complexities of editing.
In a recent development, actress Connie Nielsen, returning to work with director Ridley Scott in the sequel to Gladiator, shared that an emotional scene portraying Lucilla’s grief had been edited out during post-production.
Despite Ridley Scott’s firm denial seemingly ending the debate, the incident has ignited broader discussions about diversity in major film productions. Earlier statements from Washington had sparked enthusiasm among fans anticipating a more diverse portrayal of ancient Rome. However, Scott and the production team seem to be shifting the focus of the conversation towards editing decisions rather than censorship issues.
Paul Mescal, playing Lucius, the son of Maximus portrayed by Russell Crowe, highlighted the wide-ranging audience appeal of the movie during a chat with Attitude magazine. He underscored that the film isn’t exclusively for a male crowd, but rather:
As a passionate gamer, I’ve got to say that this movie seems to be for everyone, regardless of gender or role in life. It was the same with the first one, believe it or not. The guys, the LGBTQ+ community, girls, moms, dads, we all can enjoy it. Of course, my bros will dig it too, no doubt about that. It’s just massive entertainment that people crave to see on such a grand scale.
With the controversy over whether Macrinus kissed another man now resolved, enthusiasts can shift their focus to the highly anticipated visual spectacle and heartrending sequel to the universe Ridley Scott initially created almost a quarter of a century ago. Regardless of whether the kiss occurred or not, one fact remains undeniable: “Gladiator II” is certain to stir both excitement and controversy as it arrives in cinemas on November 22. Until then, quench your anticipation by streaming the original Gladiator epic on Paramount+ with a subscription.
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-11-19 18:38