British actor quits Asian movie role in Hollywood ‘whitewash’ row
A BRITISh actor who was cast as an Asian character in a hollywood film has stepped down after becoming embroiled in a row over ‘whitewashing’.
ed Skrein said he was unaware his character – Major Ben Daimio in the superhero series hellboy – is of Asian heritage in the comics on which the films are based.
The casting triggered an outcry, with critics accusing hollywood of whitewashing, where ethnic characters are played by white actors.
Writing on Twitter, Skrein, 34, said that although he was ‘sad’ he believed he had to do what he felt was right, so that the role can be recast ‘appropriately’.
he told his 32,000 followers: ‘I accepted the role unaware that the character in the original comics was of mixed Asian heritage.
‘There has been intense conversation and understandable upset since that announcement, and I must do what I feel is right.
‘It is clear that representing this character in a culturally accurate way holds significance for people and that to neglect this responsibility would continue a worrying tendency to obscure ethnic minority stories and voices in the arts.
‘I feel it is important to honour and respect that.’
The team behind hellboy backed Skrein’s decision. They said in a statement: ‘It was not our intent to be insensitive to issues of authenticity and ethnicity, and we will look to recast the part with an actor more consistent with the character in the source material.’
hollywood producers have been previously criticised for choosing the likes of Scarlett Johansson (Ghost in the Shell), Matt Damon (The Great Wall) and Tilda Swinton (Doctor Strange) to play characters who were Asian in the original material.
Skrein, known for his roles in Deadpool and Game of Thrones, said the issue was important to him as he had a mixed heritage family.
he added: ‘It is our responsibility to make moral decisions in difficult times and to give voice to inclusivity.
‘It is my hope that one day these discussions will become less necessary and that we can help make equal representation in the arts a reality.’
Skrein’s decision was widely welcomed. British-Pakistani actor Riz Ahmed praised him on Twitter for ‘setting the example and reminding us progress requires sacrifice’.
Another user wrote: ‘As a person of Asian descent: thank you for this. It’s heartening to see someone do the right thing, though it has cost you personally.’
‘Worrying tendency’