Paramount
Famed director Ridley Scott has cultivated a remarkable imprint in the film industry, as demonstrated by the preliminary responses to his most recent spectacle, “Gladiator II” (for more details, you can refer to /Film’s review by Chris Evangelista). However, the long-anticipated sequel is currently creating a buzz for its omissions rather than its content. We learned from the horse’s mouth – or rather, from star Denzel Washington – that a scene featuring a homosexual kiss between his character and another was axed from the blockbuster. It’s not beyond Scott to append an extended director’s cut in the future, restoring additional footage that was discarded. However, an intriguing revelation has surfaced from international viewers who have watched “Gladiator II” ahead of the pack – a prominent actor from the Marvel franchise is conspicuously absent from the theatrical cut of the film, sparking a range of hypotheses.
“Gladiator II” boasts a star-studded cast, with Paul Mescal, Washington, and Pedro Pascal at the helm. Yet, there was a point where the ensemble was set to be even bigger. Variety divulged in May 2023 that May Calamawy, recognized for her lead role as Layla El-Faouly/Scarlet Scarab in the Disney+ series “Moon Knight,” was slated to feature in an undefined role. However, her character is virtually non-existent in the final cut, with only a few fleeting appearances in the backdrop of certain scenes. So, what transpired? What part was Calamawy initially set to play, and are there any lingering hints about her intended function?
We’ll tread lightly around significant plot specifics here, but those sensitive to spoilers might want to proceed with caution.
May Calamawy’s Gladiator II role was cut, as she recently confirmed
Marvel Studios
Having credits in a significant franchise like the Marvel Cinematic Universe and a historical epic from Ridley Scott is a testament to an actor’s prowess. Regrettably, May Calamawy’s second major role didn’t materialize, as the rendition of “Gladiator II” hitting theaters this month (which is shorter than the original “Gladiator”) lacks the character she was set to embody. This won’t come as a big shock to keen fans, as Calamawy confirmed this unfortunate turn of events at the recent London Comic Con. A fan attending the event shared a social media post where Calamawy expressed that she wouldn’t have a significant presence in “Gladiator II,” but that the filming process was a pleasant memory. She even had the opportunity to share scenes with Denzel Washington himself:
“[May Calamawy] says although she’s sad her character’s story didn’t make it to [‘Gladiator II’], it was one of the best experiences of her life. She loved working with Denzel Washington and said it was the coolest and she felt immediately comfortable with him.”
Although this information is not overly detailed, it helps to pinpoint what role she might have played in the movie. Working with Washington’s Macrinus, a character depicted as a “Roman businessman who has amassed enormous wealth thanks to his acumen and brutal ambition,” suggests that Calamawy would’ve been involved in the gladiatorial scenes with Paul Mescal’s Lucius to a degree. However, a closer examination of some of the “Gladiator II” characters might offer more insight into her intended role in the eagerly awaited sequel.
There’s a credible fan theory about May Calamawy’s Gladiator II character
Paramount
Unless Ridley Scott directly addresses this at some point, we may never know what May Calamawy’s original role would’ve been in “Gladiator II” and, most crucially, why she was left out of the story almost entirely — but that’s not stopping fans from pouring over every little detail in the blockbuster in an attempt to figure it out for themselves, anyway. It’s worth noting that Calamawy is of Egyptian and Palestinian descent, adding a potentially controversial and disturbing subtext to the decision to remove her from the film. (Actor Melissa Barrera underwent a blacklisting of sorts after her vocal support of Palestinian survivors of genocide in Gaza, while “Captain America: Brave New World” came under fire for the inclusion of an Israeli superhero.) However, it appears that there might be a more benign explanation with regards to “Gladiator II.”
One Reddit post purports to have the answer behind Calamawy’s absence from the movie. According to one user, the leading fan-theory is that she would’ve portrayed a character that, in the final version, is named Ravi and is played by Alexander Karim. Though not featured very prominently in the marketing, we know that Ravi is a doctor who attends to the wounds Lucius sustains from fighting in the arena. The Reddit user alleges that “Ravi’s scenes feel like very last-minute additions and the editing is off,” which can be explained away by the notion that Calamawy could’ve filled a similar narrative role and even served as a love interest to Lucius while binding up his wounds. So, why pivot away from this? Setting aside that this would’ve been yet another subplot in a movie already full of subplots, it also might’ve muddied up Lucius’ motivations. Loosely speaking, our hero is attempting to avenge the death of his family; adding a romantic complication might very well have felt like an unnecessary distraction.
Whatever the case may be, moviegoers will have a chance to make their own judgment when “Gladiator II” hits U.S. theaters November 22, 2024.
FAQs:
1. Who is May Calamawy?
– May Calamawy is an actress known for her role as Layla El-Faouly/Scarlet Scarab in the Disney+ series “Moon Knight.”
2. Why was her role cut from Gladiator II?
– The specific reasons are not known. But her character is almost entirely missing from the final product. The exact reasons for the cut have not been revealed by the film’s director, Ridley Scott.
3. What was her character supposed to be in Gladiator II?
– The exact nature of May Calamawy’s character in Gladiator II is not known, as her role was cut from the final version of the film.
4. Will there be a director’s cut of Gladiator II?
– It’s possible, but not confirmed. Director Ridley Scott has been known to release extended director’s cuts of his films in the past.
5. When does Gladiator II release in the U.S.?
– Gladiator II is set to hit U.S. theaters on November 22, 2024.
Credit: www.slashfilm.com
