The director explains the backstory behind Washington's scene-stealing character, and how he's not unlike the president-elect.

Denzel Washington is determined to get Ridley Scott his long “overdue” Oscar. Washington, who reunites with Scott for “ Gladiator II ” almost 20 years after 2007’s “American Gangster,” told The Hollywood Reporter that Scott not having won Best Director is almost criminal.

“ 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.