Warning: Spoilers ahead for Gladiator 2!
Gladiator 2features a handful of new and intriguing characters, but evidence suggests May Calamawy was meant to play the daughter of Denzel Washington’s Macrinus. TheMoon Knightactress was initially announced as part ofGladiator 2’s castin a role that would’ve connected to Macrinus. However, byGladiator 2’s violent ending, Calamawy is nowhere to be seen, with her portion of the story cut from Ridley Scott’s highly-anticipated sequel. Based on the movie’s story direction and Macrinus' history, evidence propels several possible options for Calamawy’s casting.
Cutting characters from major movies often comes down to time constraints. Scott’sGladiator 2came in at just under two hours and 30 minutes, so several scenes likely had to be axed. Granted, it seems as though an entire subplot involving Calamawy had to be removed based on how the actress was thought to be playing a pivotal role when cast. It’s possible that more will be explained regardingwhat happened to May Calamawy’sGladiator 2character, but for now, we can only speculate and theorize.
Everything We Know About May Calamawy’s Cut Gladiator 2 Character
It’s Unknown Who May Calamawy Was Cast To Play In Ridley Scott’s Sequel
Questions surrounding May Calamawy’s absence inGladiator 2are certainly justifiable. The actress was officially included in cast announcements from May 2023, with claims that Calamawy was tapped to play a crucial role. Aside from brief background appearances, including a scene inGladiator 2where she can be seen sitting behindDenzel Washington’s Macrinus,Calamawy’s character was mostly removed from Ridley Scott’s sequel.There’s also no explanation for why her character didn’t make the final cut.
“Even with her minor background appearances, Calamawy isn’t credited in Gladiator 2 nor has any speaking lines.”
Though May Calamawy’s removal fromGladiator 2has been tied to the actress' comments on the conflict between Palestine and Israel, it’s very important to note that those claims have never been confirmed. What we do know is thatCalamawy confirmed her character was cut fromGladiator 2and that she worked closely with Washington.Even with her minor background appearances, Calamawy isn’t credited inGladiator 2nor has any speaking lines. Still, we have some ideas for who Calamawy could’ve played.
Gladiator 2 Theory: May Calamawy Was Cast To Play Macrinus' Daughter
Calamawy’s Gladiator 2 Character Was Close To Macrinus In Some Way
Denzel Washington’s performance as Macrinus may have transformed the character into a captivating figure withinGladiator 2. However,Ridley Scott’s Macrinus was loosely based on the real Marcus Opellius Macrinus, the emperor who took over after conspiring against Caracalla. Interestingly, Macrinus ruled alongside his son, Diadumenian, who died before the age of 10. Macrinus doesn’t have a son in the movie, but it’s possible that Scott intended for May Calamawy to play Macrinus' daughter inGladiator 2.
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If Macrinus' real-life son was so important to his reign, it would make sense forGladiator 2to give Macrinus a child that steers his motives in overtaking the current emperors.Gladiator 2makes true story changesto Ancient Rome’s history, but changing Diadumenian into an older daughter seems like a feasible theory. Aside from Lucilla, there haven’t been many women featured in the movies with critical roles. Lucius' wife is introduced in the sequel, but her death also serves as a plot device that thrusts Lucius on a path for revenge.
Shot by arrow during Numidia battle
Killed by a baboon in the pit
Shot by arrows from Praetorian Guards
Stabbed in the throat by Lucius
Killed during Colosseum battle
Stabbed in the ear by Macrinus
Shot by an arrow from Macrinus
Macrinus
Killed in a duel with Lucius
Who knows, maybe instead of a co-conspirator to match Macrinus' history,a daughter inGladiator 2could have added another complicated aspect to Macrinus' plan if she became Lucius' love interest.Imagine Macrinus trying to carry out his dangerous plan while his daughter fell in love with a pawn in his game. Another love interest for Lucius could’ve also worked whether or not his wife, Arishat, appeared at the beginning ofGladiator 2. WithoutArishat and herGladiator 2death, Lucius still had plenty of hatred for the Roman army. Perhaps Calamawy was meant to be another character’s love interest.
May Calamawy’s Gladiator 2 Appearance Also Suggests She May Have Been Macrinus' Love Interest
While it would have been pretty amazing to see May Calamawy play a female gladiator (yes, they did exist in Ancient Rome!), that likely wasn’t in the cards when the actress was cast. The biggest clue about Calamawy’s mysterious role connects to Washington’s Macrinus. Therefore, if not related,Calamawy’sGladiator 2role had to be in close contact with Macrinus, meaning she might have been one of his lovers.Macrinus even states that he has several lovers, in addition to confirming his bisexuality.
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Gladiator 2 takes a number of elements directly from the original movie, from character archetypes, narrative arcs, and direct references.
It’s reasonable to think that a romantic partner for Macrinus would be kept close enough to sit by him out in public when considering Calamawy’s briefGladiator 2background appearances. We may eventually get more information regarding Calamawy’s cut character and how she could’ve impacted Macrinus and Lucius' arcs in the sequel. Still, Scott has no plans for any kind ofGladiator 2director’s cut, so any chance of actually seeing Calamawy’s character brought to life doesn’t look good.
