Ed Skrein Turns Down 'Hellboy' Role To Prevent Whitewashing
Ed Skrein has taken a bold stand against whitewashing practices that have become commonplace in Hollywood.
The actor, known for his roles in “Deadpool” and “Game of Thrones,” announced on various social media accounts that he’d be stepping down from his role in the upcoming “Hellboy” reboot.
“I accepted the role unaware that the character in the original comics was of mixed Asian heritage,” Skrein writes. “There has been intense conversation and understandable upset since that announcement, and I must do what I feel is right.”
— Ed Skrein (@edskrein) August 28, 2017
Skrein’s missive goes on to establish how important the representation of ethnic diversity is, particularly to him and his own mixed heritage family.
The 34-year-old announced he’d be taking on the role of Ben Daimio on Twitter last week, and was immediately met with thoughtful complaints like this one:
You're a talented actor; why would you take away a role from an Asian colleague?
— Heautontimoroumenos (@paulengelhard) August 22, 2017
The follow-up announcement that Skrein would be pulling out of the film was met with overwhelming support, particularly from fans of color who were overjoyed with the actor’s show of respect:
I just became an Ed Skrein fan.
Actors can listen and have influence and this was tremendously brave.
THANK YOU ED. https://t.co/eIwoWugOM8— Shanelle Little (@ShanelleLittle) August 28, 2017
I knew stanning him wouldn't be a mistake. A very brave but appropriate decision that I and many others support. Thank you @edskrein pic.twitter.com/hFfVYVbypy
— Nil (@hellblazxr) August 28, 2017
Wow. Mad respect to @edskrein. Thank you for standing up for what's right 🙏🏽 Didn't know who you were tbh but you have my support now https://t.co/mBEvhj0QtX
— Johnny Chiou (@jachiou) August 28, 2017
Oh my goodness, someone ACTUALLY REFUSED TO WHITEWASH A ROLE. Good for you Ed Skrein!! https://t.co/0KyVYDNQsZ
— Izandra (@Izandra) August 28, 2017
I have a huge amount of respect for Ed Skrein for stepping away from the part. This is how whitewashing stops. Action >>> words. https://t.co/2GYjYV50rk
— Minty (@mintsanity) August 28, 2017
!!! @edskrein , THANK YOU! You're the first actor who's ever cared enough to step down! https://t.co/QEo0YhjKU3
— Sy Almans (@syalmans) August 28, 2017
I'm progressively liking Ed Skrein the more he talks. Kudos to him for listening and letting Daimon be cast accordingly https://t.co/sBVtAFZm8v
— george (@George_HWO) August 28, 2017
Ideally actors would actually research roles before committing, but props to Ed Skrein for not taking the Scarlett Johansson/GitS route. pic.twitter.com/7Zn5lthNdR
— Jeremy (@SauronsBANE) August 28, 2017
Even “Hellboy”’s creator, Mike Mignola, appreciated the actor’s withdrawal from the role:
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thank you @edskrein very nicely done... https://t.co/hwCsaf9iZj
— Mike Mignola (@artofmmignola) August 28, 2017
Producers Larry Gordon, Lloyd Levin, Millennium and Lionsgate released a statement following Skrein’s announcement, saying that they “fully support his unselfish decision,” according to The Hollywood Reporter.
“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,” the statement said.
We’ve routinely seen major studios under fire for their decisions to whitewash characters ― two notable examples being Emma Stone’s character Allison Ng in “Aloha” and Scarlett Johansson as Major Mira Killian / Motoko Kusanagi in “Ghost in the Shell.” And, yet, this is one of the few instances of a white actor being hired to play a character of color and then removing themselves from the narrative to make way for the appropriate representation.
Perhaps Skrein’s move will set in motion a ripple effect of sorts and bring about a sea change in the industry.
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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.