Gladiator II Faces Criticism for Cutting May Calamawy’s Role
- Publish date: Monday، 18 November 2024 | Last update: since a day
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The much-anticipated Gladiator II is facing online backlash after fans discovered that Egyptian-Palestinian actress May Calamawy’s role was largely cut from the film.
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Despite initial reports of her significant involvement, viewers were surprised to see Calamawy reduced to brief, non-speaking background appearances when the movie premiered on Thursday.
Earlier in the year, promotional stills showing Calamawy and co-star Paul Mescal, who plays Lucius, sparked excitement about her portrayal as a key character. Director Ridley Scott had reportedly conducted an extensive search before casting her, further building anticipation for her role as a central figure.
The sudden reduction of Calamawy’s screen time has fueled debate online. Some social media users speculated that her outspoken support for Palestine and her heritage influenced the decision, while others pointed to potential edits related to the film's length. Production was still ongoing in October 2023 when the conflict in Gaza escalated, during which Calamawy publicly expressed solidarity with Palestinians.
This headline isn’t complete without mentioning that May Calamawy is Palestinian. https://t.co/UeZGk3YvaI
— Siddharth (@DearthOfSid) November 15, 2024
Initial reports hinted at an “important” role for Calamawy, leading fans to anticipate a powerful performance in the sequel. However, promotional trailers and materials omitted any significant reference to her character.
While Gladiator II has earned praise for its visual effects and action sequences, reviews suggest it falls short of the original film's impact. Variety’s Owen Gleiberman described the sequel as “solid neoclassical popcorn” but noted it feels like a "mere shadow" of its predecessor.
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