Director Ridley Scott added that it's "bullshit" a prolonged kiss was even filmed, as Washington later clarified it was just a "peck" and the discord is "really much ado about nothing."

Paul Mescal is ready for Gladiator III. On Monday, Nov. 18, the actor, 28, spoke to reporters at the Gladiator II premiere afterparty and revealed he would love to don his sword and sandals for a third installment of the historical epic. “I think so,” Mescal said of returning to his character Lucius at the TCL Chinese Theater & Roosevelt Hotel.