The announcement of May Calamawy’s casting in Gladiator 2 was made in May 2023 by Deadline.
For fans from SWANA, particularly those of Palestinian and Egyptian descent, the news of the Palestinian-Egyptian actress joining Gladiator II was met with excitement, especially following her praised performance as Layla El-Faouly, the Scarlet Scarab, in Marvel Studios’ Moon Knight.
This marked a significant opportunity for Calamawy, building on her breakout role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as she joined Ridley Scott’s highly anticipated sequel.
Although there was no immediate confirmation regarding her character, reports indicated that the director was deeply involved in the casting process and specifically chose Calamawy.
However, her role was ultimately cut from the film, raising questions about the circumstances surrounding this decision.
Why Was May Calamawy Cut Out Of Gladiator 2?
Now that Gladiator 2 has been released, it’s confirmed that May Calamawy’s scenes were cut from the film.
She no longer appears in any significant way, only making brief background appearances without any dialogue.
It’s unclear if another character took over her narrative role, but Ridley Scott’s final cut effectively diminished her importance entirely.
This raises the possibility that she may have been part of a larger subplot that was ultimately removed from the film.
It remains uncertain whether Scott and distributor Paramount Pictures reduced Calamawy’s role due to her pro-Palestine advocacy or if this was all her role involved.
May Calamawy’s Scenes Being Cut From Gladiator 2 Sparked Controversy
Without any clear and confirmed reasoning for the decision, speculation has transformed what could have been a straightforward filmmaking choice into a more controversial issue.
This controversy arises from Gladiator 2 significantly reducing the role of its Egyptian-Palestinian star in a disappointing manner.
The situation has been further fueled by the ongoing Israel-Palestine war that began in 2023, just months after Calamawy’s casting.
The removal of an actress of Palestinian descent during this conflict has drawn criticism from some online.
However, there is no substantial evidence linking Calamawy’s nationality to her diminished role in Gladiator 2.
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