Social media users have strongly criticised the makers of Gladiator II for removing scenes featuring Palestinian-Egyptian actress May Calamawy, who was expected to have a significant role in the film. The film premiered on Thursday, but many were surprised to see Calamawy appear only briefly in background shots, without any dialogue.
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Fans Disappointed by Calamawy’s Reduced Role
Fans had anticipated that Calamawy would play the love interest of Paul Mescal’s character, Lucius, especially after a still image was released earlier this year showing the two characters sharing a kiss. Director Ridley Scott had reportedly conducted “a thorough search” before casting Calamawy, which raised expectations for her role to be central to the plot.
However, upon the film’s release, viewers were disappointed to find that her role was greatly reduced. Despite initial expectations, Calamawy’s presence in the film was minimal, and her character was relegated to background shots without speaking lines.
Online Debate: Was It About Politics or Runtime?
The decision to cut Calamawy’s scenes has sparked heated debate online. Some critics have suggested that the removal could be linked to her Palestinian heritage and her vocal support for Gaza, especially in light of the ongoing conflict. Others believe the decision was simply due to the film’s length, with some speculating that scenes had to be trimmed during production.
Gladiator II was still in production when Israel’s war on Gaza began in October 2023. At the time, Calamawy had shared pro-Palestinian content online, leading to further speculation about the reasons for the changes to her role.
A Promising Role Turned Background Appearance
Early reports had described Calamawy’s role as “important,” and many fans were excited about her portrayal in the blockbuster sequel. However, promotional materials and trailers gave no indication that she would play a lead role, leading to disappointment among those who had been looking forward to seeing more of her character.
Mixed Reviews for Gladiator II
While Gladiator II has been praised for its stunning visuals and fast-paced action, early reviews suggest the film doesn’t quite live up to the expectations set by the original. The sequel, set 24 years after the Oscar-winning Gladiator, has been described as a rehash. Owen Gleiberman of Variety called it a “solid piece of neoclassical popcorn” but stated it was “ultimately a mere shadow” of the original.
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