The premiere of Gladiator II, Ridley Scott’s long-awaited sequel to his 2000 Oscar-winning classic, has been met with heated online outrage after it was revealed that Egyptian-Palestinian actress May Calamawy’s role had been significantly reduced. Calamawy, once hailed as a key character in the events, appears only briefly in background shots in the final picture, with no lines.
The bombshell has left many surprised, considering how early promotional stills and reports had placed Calamawy’s character as central to the movie. She was supposed to play the love interest of Lucius, played by Paul Mescal, the protagonist who takes center stage in the story 24 years from the events of the original film. A still of the two characters sharing a kiss was among the pre-release material that raised expectations about her importance.
Fans and commentators alike have taken to social media to express disappointment, with some speculating whether this decision was politically motivated. The actress has been vocal in her support for Palestine.
May Calamawy’ scenes were entirely cut from GLADIATOR 2, despite initial announcements indicating she would play a major female lead. pic.twitter.com/J6a6otrwQn
— A Shot. (@ashotmagazine) November 15, 2024
Her fans have widely shared and appreciated these, but the posts have also led some to speculate that her reduced screen time is related to her political stance. While for some, the move reflects industry sensitivity to the polarized political climate, to others, it could be a coincidence linked with creative choices.
now why did may calamawy only appear in the background of one scene and not have a single speaking line i thought she was supposed to be a lead…
— mari (@loverrycore) November 19, 2024
Gladiator 2 cutting all of May Calamawy's scenes is definitely something
— DL2 (@DL2onX) November 19, 2024
ask him too about why may calamawy’s scenes are cut and why an israeli actress got hired as paul’s wife https://t.co/vwz11gkjfe
— jas (@dariusacruxx) November 19, 2024
With neither Ridley Scott nor the studio commenting on the controversy, some insiders suggest the film’s lengthy runtime and its tightly packed narrative were other reasons for the cuts. “The final edit of a film is always a balancing act,” said one source. “It’s about condensing an epic story down to the right size.
In addition to the controversy, Gladiator II has received mixed reviews in its early run. Although critics have complimented the film’s cinematography and action-packed scenes, many have critiqued the film for being overly predictable in its repeat of the original. The sequel takes place decades after Maximus’s passing, and Lucius must contend with a labyrinth of political intrigue and gladiatorial battle.
Despite being called “neoclassical popcorn entertainment,” a number of critics contend that the movie lacks the emotional nuance and originality that made the previous installment a landmark in popular culture. Calamawy’s struggles to live up to the original’s reputation have only been made worse by the controversy surrounding its removal.
For Calamawy-who first gained fame in television series like Ramy and Moon Knight, the incident serves as a jolting reminder of the many minefields that come with being a Middle Eastern actress in Hollywood, at a very politicized moment in history. Indeed, audiences have been very vocal about seeking clarification regarding her reduced screen time, with some even asking for an extended director’s cut that incorporates her scenes.
Meanwhile, Gladiator II has a difficult challenge at the box office. Although opening-night ticket sales were phenomenal, the social media uproar and ongoing debate about representation and political power in Hollywood may shape its legacy as much as the story itself.
Discover more from Where Is The Buzz | Breaking News, Entertainment, Exclusive Interviews & More
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
37 comments
Greetings,
Incredible Prices on Designer Brands
LV, Gucci, Coach, Nike, Air Jordan, Oakley, Rayban, and Armani at more than 90% off. See https://luxesource.shop today.
To your success,
Kassie
Boost Your Business with Google Reviews! ⭐
Looking to grow your online reputation and attract more customers? Google reviews build trust, improve your search ranking, and make your business stand out. Positive reviews can be the deciding factor for potential clients choosing between you and a competitor. Don’t wait — strengthen your credibility today!
Your success starts with what people see online: https://www.websboost.com/order/googlereviews.php
Hello whereisthebuzz.com Administrator
Are you ready to take control of your Google Maps Rankings and boost your business visibility?
Would you like to learn more about our “Google Maps Ranking” service and how it can help you secure a top spot in local search results, attract more customers, and stand out from the competition?
Let us know, and we’ll share all the details with you!
Reply to this email, and I’ll be happy to share more details with you.
Best regards,
Arletha Claborn
Denmark, REGION SYDDANMARK, Odense C, 5000, Mollelokken 39
To stop any further communication through your website form, Please reply with subject: Unsubscribe !whereisthebuzz.com
Hi there,
We wanted to introduce you to a revolutionary system that helps you create AI-powered tools to generate steady, qualified leads without paid advertising.
Key benefits:
Create AI tools in minutes with simple copy/paste templates
Drive free, targeted traffic to any niche or offer
Built-in call-to-action system to funnel leads to your sales pages
No coding or technical experience needed
We’re currently offering a special launch price of $17 (regular $97) which includes bonus training on traffic generation and AI monetization.
For more details, check out: https://furtherinfo.info/etb
Thanks,
Thurman
Hi there,
We run a YouTube growth service, which increases your number of subscribers both safely and practically.
We guarantee to gain you 700-1500+ subscribers per month.
People subscribe because they are interested in your channel/videos, increasing likes, comments and interaction.
All actions are made manually by our team. We do not use any ‘bots’.
Channel Creation: If you haven’t started your YouTube journey yet, we can create a professional channel for you as part of your initial order.
The price is just $60 (USD) per month, and we can start immediately.
If you have any questions, let me know, and we can discuss further.
Kind Regards,
Katelyn
Convert any webpage or information from whereisthebuzz.com into a feature-length film and highly engaging social platform clip – with ease!
Ideal for websites, content sharing sites, & business ads
Produce long-format movies & promo videos automatically
Lifelike AI-generated conversations & soundtracks
Multiple language support for a global audience
Advertise whereisthebuzz.com , your business, or media effortlessly!
One-time payment – No recurring fees!
Get AI MovieMaker 2.0 Today –>> https://lifetime-aimoviemaker.com/ <<–
Hi,
I just visited whereisthebuzz.com and wondered if you’d ever thought about having an engaging video to explain what you do?
Our videos cost just $195 USD for a 30 second video ($239 USD for 60 seconds) and include a full script, voice-over and video.
I can show you some previous videos we’ve done if you want me to send some over. Let me know if you’re interested in seeing samples of our previous work.
Regards,
Joanna
Unsubscribe: https://removeme.live/unsubscribe.php?d=whereisthebuzz.com
Why not have Web design and Marketing all done in the U.S.?
Fast Work and Tech Support
( NOTHING done overseas )
Only $300 for a new site + $199/mo – 26 Years Experience
Find out more and see our list of clients:
https://adventdigital.net/seo/17-point-plan/
Morning
Looking to improve your posture and live a healthier life? Our Medico Postura™ Body Posture Corrector is here to help!
Experience instant posture improvement with Medico Postura™. This easy-to-use device can be worn anywhere, anytime – at home, work, or even while you sleep.
Made from lightweight, breathable fabric, it ensures comfort all day long.
Grab it today at a fantastic 60% OFF: https://medicopostura.com
Plus, enjoy FREE shipping for today only!
Don’t miss out on this amazing deal. Get yours now and start transforming your posture!
Enjoy,
Frances
Hi there,
I’m reaching out because we’ve just released a complete WordPress video training package with unrestricted Private Label Rights. The package includes 19 professional video lessons across 4 courses, covering everything from WordPress basics to local development.
Key features:
Full PLR rights (rebrand, resell, repurpose as you wish)
4 complete courses with 19 video lessons
Professional production quality
Ready-to-launch sales materials included
This is ideal if you’re looking to quickly launch your own WordPress training business or add to your existing product line.
For detailed information and pricing, visit: https://furtherinfo.info/wpmk
Kind regards,
Reginald
Hi there,
We run a YouTube growth service, which increases your number of subscribers both safely and practically.
We guarantee to gain you 700-1500+ subscribers per month.
People subscribe because they are interested in your channel/videos, increasing likes, comments and interaction.
All actions are made manually by our team. We do not use any ‘bots’.
The price is just $60 (USD) per month, and we can start immediately.
If you have any questions, let me know, and we can discuss further.
Kind Regards,
Katelyn
Hi there,
We run a Youtube growth service, where we can increase your subscriber count safely and practically.
Guaranteed: We guarantee to gain you 700-1500 new subscribers each month.
Real, human subscribers who subscribe because they are interested in your channel/videos.
Safe: All actions are done, without using any automated tasks / bots.
Our price is just $60 (USD) per month and we can start immediately.
If you are interested then we can discuss further.
Kind Regards,
Felicity
This true? I ain’t watching this in cinemas forget that
Good, don’t watch bullshit movies.. Free🇵🇸🇵🇸
If this ain’t a sign for you to boycott than I don’t know how dumb can you be
It’s not a very good movie anyway, in my opinion. it’s redundant in the same story line as the first movie. personally, i don’t like seeing #Denzel play a villian. The only redeeming quality is the CGI cinematography in reenacting ancient Rome.
Really wanted to watch this movie cause of Denzel but not anymore. Fuck the Zionists
what the fuck???? i don’t understand why anyone would watch a movie that is this dirty. this is part of the ethnic erasure and censorship that palestinians rather than israeli zionists face every day. and the fact that she had a major role in the film too is insaneeee
It’s unbelievable, but “Israel” is barely facing any consequences in public life for committing GENOCIDE, they’re allowed to show up everywhere, participate in sports competitions, be violent in our own countries, while Palestinians are being CANCELLED.
The world is upside down.
I will be boycotting Gladiator II for this very reason.
I won’t go see it anymore then
It’s really shit, he was originally a headliner character tbtb but became a cameo without a name, it’s no wonder May has never talked about this film again. BOYCOTT GLADIATOR II
Notice how Palestinian always looking pretty and hot
This is definitely the first Denzel movie I’m going to boycott. That + the pro-LGBT wokeness I’ll pass on.
She should take legal action
So we cut gladiator 2 from our watch list ..
The people who are investing in movies to make money are Zionists.
Was going to see it over the weekend but I’m good. Proper nasty.
I will never stop pirating movies
pfft..how embarrassing the behavior of these Zionist Israeli Jews is. Israeli, the trash creatures
Put me off a movie I really wanted to watch. Hope it flops.
The two people Hollywood hates most are white Christians and Palestinians.
Fuck you Ridley Scott
Lmao. This is fair to a sane brain?
WTF??? And some people still don’t realise that #they control the world…
Had no plans of watching it but I’m actively not watching it now
Welp…I unfortunately will not be there