“ Gladiator II ” director Ridley Scott is clearing the air about Denzel Washington’s claim that a same-sex kiss was cut from the new movie. “No, that’s bullshit,” Scott, 86, told Variety on the red carpet at the action film’s Los Angeles premiere on Monday.

Actress Connie Nielsen, who reunites with Ridley Scott as she reprises her role as Lucilla from the original Gladiator, agreed with the producer, revealing that her own grieving scene was left on the cutting room floor.

Denzel Washington made a bold claim when he said he’d kissed a man for Gladiator II but “they” were too chicken to include it in the final cut. Washington didn’t clarify who “they” were, but in any case,