Elton John himself has said to make the film as real as possible no matter what the rating.
The scene is tastefully done, but apparently their sun starved buttocks are on display during the same sex romp, something Paramount Pictures wants nothing to do with.
It may be instead an attempt by the executives to guarantee the film a PG-13 rating.
The move itself, in cutting the scene, may not be attached to any social idea pushed by picturing the pair in bed together.