As Gladiator 2 nears its release, director Ridley Scott and actor Denzel Washington addressed reports of a deleted same-s*x kiss scene, clarifying its absence from the final cut. Cast members Connie Nielsen and producer Michael Pruss also discussed the film’s edits and their impact on the story.

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.

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.