Gladiator filmmakers accused of being anti-Palestinian for cutting May Calamawy scenes
Social media users have criticised the makers of the new Gladiator II film for cutting out all scenes of Egyptian-Palestinian actress May Calamawy, who was expected to have a major role in the blockbuster film.
Reactions to the news on Thursday have spurred widespread debate on social media about why Calamawy was cut out of the film. Many believe it was due to her Palestinian heritage and public support for Gaza, while others say it was to shorten the two-and-a-half-hour film.
this is extremely concerning. the racism and discrimination against Palestinians in hollywood just for merely being Palestinian is rampant and needs to be addressed. https://t.co/8D81bEiRx3
— h 🦋🍉 (@shurispideys) November 15, 2024
The production of the Oscar-winning Gladiator sequel was reportedly still filming when the war on Gaza began on 7 October 2023, during which Calamawy was posting pro-Palestine content online.
New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch
Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters
The announcement of Calamawy's role in the film in May 2023 was welcomed with excitement by Arab and Middle Eastern audiences who had seen her in her breakout role in Marvel Studio's Moon Knight and the hit Hulu series, Ramy.
she was seriously the best part of moon knight. quickly became one of my fav actresses and mcu characters hence my pfp and i’ll be watching gladiator solely for her
— lily (@lavfeysun) July 12, 2024
The Deadline article announcing her casting mentioned that the director, Ridley Scott, was meticulous about who would fill the female lead role and had "a thorough search" before Calamawy landed the part.
A still photo from the film released earlier this year of Calamawy and Paul Mescal kissing led many to believe that she would be the film's main character's love interest.
May Calamawy and Paul Mescal in ‘GLADIATOR 2’. pic.twitter.com/UYykQrt7Ar
— A Shot. (@ashotmagazine) July 9, 2024
It was a surprise to many audience members who watched the film when it premiered on Thursday that Calamawy was not the female lead they were expecting, nor was she even supporting cast: she had no dialogue and was only seen in the background of a few scenes.
"Just came out from a screening of 'Gladiator 2' it was really good ... but i do have a question where is May Calamawy cuz she was not in!!!" one social media user posted on X.
maya calamawy (moon knight’s layla) is non existent in gladiator 2 btw, no dialogues, only 3 shots as background extra. i don’t know what exactly happened behind the scenes but i don’t feel good about it. her role was originally described as “important.” pic.twitter.com/eXgEiI0b2v
— Darren (@dbnfilms) November 14, 2024
Many online see the reduction of her role as a move to suppress and censor Palestinians in the entertainment industry.
"May Calamawy, who actively calls out for Palestine, is among my key reasons to support and excite for this movie. Just want to see her new big role in theater. Now, I don't want to see it anymore. COWARDS!" one post reads.
this is extremely concerning. the racism and discrimination against Palestinians in hollywood just for merely being Palestinian is rampant and needs to be addressed. https://t.co/8D81bEiRx3
— h 🦋🍉 (@shurispideys) November 15, 2024
Many also posted that Calamawy's role was replaced by Israeli actress Yuval Ronen, but it seems that both were cast in the film before it began filming and are seen photographed together while filming. They also follow each other on Instagram.
In contrast to those who believe Calamawy's snub in the film is because of her Palestinian identity, others online argue that it stemmed from a need to shorten the film's length.
"Even major celebs get cut out of movies all the time. there’s only one female lead in the entire movie and it’s connie nielsen. the woman who plays paul mescals wife has two lines and is in five minutes total… i know it seems conspiratorial but it just doesn’t add up that way," a post reads.
Also the reason her scenes got cut was due to pacing,no studio wants to have a 3 hour and a half (or more) cut cause that means less showings not because May Calamawy is Palestinian if that were the case they wouldn't even cast her in the movie.
— Niklander (@Niklander3) November 15, 2024
It happens https://t.co/12zAG3Bl2J
Amidst the debate, many have pointed to the director's history with Middle Eastern representation in his films.
In a 2014 interview with Variety Magazine, Scott replied to criticisms that his biblical epic film, Exodus: Gods and Kings, about Moses leading the enslaved Israelites out of Egypt, featured a majority white European cast.
“I can’t mount a film of this budget, where I have to rely on tax rebates in Spain, and say that my lead actor is Mohammad so-and-so from such-and-such,” he told the magazine. “I’m just not going to get it financed. So the question doesn’t even come up.”
Time for this again https://t.co/bmtJ0wHSze pic.twitter.com/VyES1Kfzor
— Surl of the Burl (@il_castrato) November 15, 2024
Regardless of the reasoning behind Calamawy's restricted role, the immediate reaction has tarnished the excitement for the film for many pro-Palestine viewers.
Some online have said they won't watch the film anymore; others have even called for a boycott.
if this is true then cutting may calamawy out just screams anti-palestinian sentiment because why would someone whose people are being slaughtered every day not say anything about it? DON’T GO TO WATCH GLADIATOR 2. https://t.co/cOavxzZl0Q
— lily (@lavfeysun) November 15, 2024
"If the rumours of May Calamawy being cut from Gladiator II to be replaced by Yuval Gonen are true, then this sequel is already a loss of integrity," one social media user posted on X.
"You can't make movies about the bravery of slaves rising up to freedom and carry out tone-deaf revisionism in IMAX."
Middle East Eye delivers independent and unrivalled coverage and analysis of the Middle East, North Africa and beyond. To learn more about republishing this content and the associated fees, please fill out this form. More about MEE can be found here.
