Is Hollywood Silencing Palestinian Voices? Actress with Palestinian Heritage Has Role Cut in Gladiator II, Igniting Backlash
Originally slated for a pivotal role, the actress now appears only in fleeting background shots, with critics speculating that her political views played a role in the decision
Social media users have criticized the creators of Gladiator II for cutting all scenes featuring Palestinian-Egyptian actress May Calamawy, who was initially expected to have a significant role in the film.
The Gladiator sequel controversy has intensified amid the ongoing Israel-led Gaza war, with some speculating that the decision to scale back Calamawy's role may be tied to her Palestinian heritage.
What was expected to be a career-defining moment for Calamawy, following her breakout role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe's Moon Knight, turned into a surprise when she was relegated to brief background appearances with no speaking lines during the film's premiere.
Calamawy was visibly absent from all marketing campaigns of the film including movie postersIt was revealed that Calamawy had been cast after a thorough search led by director Ridley Scott. Recognizing the character’s importance, Scott reportedly wanted to explore all possibilities before making his decision. After multiple auditions, Calamawy was ultimately chosen for the role.
However, critics argue that the decision to reduce her role wasn't entirely unexpected. Calamawy had already been absent from all promotional materials, and in the weeks leading up to the film's release, the actress herself hinted at her diminished role. During an appearance at the London Comic Con, Calamawy confirmed her scenes had been cut.
The decision to remove Calamawy from a significant portion of Gladiator II has sparked heated debate online. Some critics have suggested her Palestinian heritage and outspoken support for Gaza amid the ongoing genocide may have played a role, while others contend that the film’s lengthy production schedule was the primary factor.
Gladiator II was still in production when Israel’s war on Gaza began in October 2023, with Calamawy sharing pro-Palestine content on her social media during that time."
Disgusting and outrageous," one commenter wrote on X, while another called it "so sinister."
Meanwhile, Gaza’s Ministry of Health reports that 43,922 Palestinians have been killed and 103,898 have been wounded. At least 11,000 others remain missing, presumed dead under the rubble of their homes across the Gaza Strip.
