Ridley Scott’s Oscar-winning Gladiator left an undeniable mark on cinema, and the anticipation for its sequel, Gladiator II, has been building steadily ahead of its Nov. 15 release in the UK and Nov. 22 in the US. For Middle Eastern fans, news of May Calamawy’s casting was a source of particular excitement. The Palestinian-Egyptian actress, acclaimed for her role as Layla El-Faouly—aka the Scarlet Scarab—in Marvel Studios’ Moon Knight, marked a huge step for representation in the hotly-anticipated epic.
Initial announcements described Calamawy’s part as “important,” with reports suggesting she would play a significant female lead. According to Deadline, Scott had conducted a meticulous casting process, with Calamawy enduring multiple auditions before securing her role, highlighting its weight in the upcoming film. The prospect of her casting in a film set within the vast Roman Empire—a civilization that historically encompassed regions of North Africa and Palestine—heightened expectations for her character’s relevance.
However, as promotional campaigns ramped up, featuring cast photos, trailers, and press materials, Calamawy was nowhere to be seen. While her name still appeared in cast lists, there was little evidence that her character would play a pivotal role. Fans held out hope that Scott might have reserved a surprising narrative moment for her—perhaps an unexpected intervention in Lucius’s journey or a crucial plot twist.
Those hopes were dashed with the film’s release. Reviews and early screenings revealed that Calamawy’s role was limited to a non-speaking, background presence in a few scenes as a companion to Denzel Washington’s Macrinus. For many fans, this was a disheartening confirmation of what they had begun to suspect.
The disappointment is compounded by the broader context of Hollywood’s treatment of pro-Palestinian artists. This year alone, there have been high-profile incidents, such as Melissa Barrera’s controversial dismissal from Scream 5 by Spyglass Media after expressing solidarity with Palestinians. While it remains unclear whether Calamawy’s role was reduced due to her pro-Palestine advocacy, the timing is difficult to ignore.
Paramount Pictures, the studio behind Gladiator II, has faced its share of controversies related to its stance on the Israeli-Palestinian genocide. Outgoing owner Shari Redstone publicly defended CBS News after its contentious interview with Ta-Nehisi Coates, where the host’s line of questioning was criticized as xenophobic and Islamophobic. Meanwhile, incoming owners Skydance Media, led by David Ellison, have been criticized for their exclusive financial support of Israeli causes. Larry Ellison, David’s father and a longtime supporter of Israel, has reportedly funded illegal settlements.
Although these dynamics did not seem to influence Calamawy’s initial casting, the political and cultural shifts during production raise questions about whether her role was altered in post-production. Filming began in May 2023 but was interrupted by the SAG-AFTRA strike from July to December before concluding in Jan. 2024. This final phase coincided with Israel’s ongoing assault on Gaza and an intensified crackdown on artists advocating for Palestine. Could Calamawy’s reduced screen time have been the result of editorial decisions tied to her activism?
Regardless of the rationale, the disparity between initial reports of Calamawy’s involvement and her minor on-screen presence remains a disheartening outcome. For fans who celebrated her casting as a moment of cultural and regional representation, her relegation to the background of Gladiator II reflects broader challenges faced by actors speaking out against injustice, particularly regarding Palestine.
Even so, many artists continue to use their platforms to advocate for justice despite the professional risks.
