DUBAI: Egyptian Palestinian actress May Calamawy took to social media this week to promote her latest film, “The Actor.”
The actress, who previously took on a leading role in Marvel series “Moon Knight,” stars alongside US actor Andre Holland and English actress Gemma Chan in the indie film.
“Had the BEST TIME with everyone on #TheActor, showing in select theatres today (sic),” Calamawy wrote on Instagram alongside a carousel of behind-the-scenes images from the set of the film.
The movie follows fictional actor Paul Cole who is beaten and left for dead in 1950s era Ohio. He loses his memory and finds himself stranded in a mysterious small town where he struggles to get back home to New York and reclaim what he has lost.
The film was directed by Duke Johnson, co-produced by “Suits” alum Abigail Spencer and executive produced by Ryan Gosling. The film was scripted by Johnson and Stephen Cooney and is based on the bestselling novel “Memory” by Donald E. Westlake.
Calamawy is known for her roles in US Netflix series “Ramy” and “Moon Knight” (2022), where she plays dual characters Layla El-Faouly and the Scarlet Scarab.
She made headlines in late 2024 when almost all her scenes were cut from Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator II,” with fans taking to social media to complain.
Her casting in the film was first announced in May 2023.
At the time, Deadline reported that Scott had cast Calamawy after a lengthy search, writing: “While many of the leading roles were straight offers, Scott wanted to do a similar search he did for the (Paul) Mescal part for the role that Calamawy ultimately landed.
“Given the importance of the character to the story, Scott wanted a thorough search, and following multiple auditions Calamawy landed the part,” Deadline added.
However, fans noticed that in the final cut, which hit cinemas in November, Calamawy is only seen in passing and she has no dialogue. Scott did not comment on Calamawy’s removal from the two hour and 28-minute film.
