In recent years, casting people of color in roles traditionally or popularly imagined as white has led to racist backlash. This article takes a look on these instances with a hope to spark a conversation on the urgent need for change in our society’s approach to race and representation
2024: Francesca Amewudah-Rivers in “Romeo & Juliet”
In a modern twist on a classic tale, Francesca Amewudah-Rivers’s casting as Juliet alongside Tom Holland brought out a “barrage of deplorable racial abuse” online. The production company stood firm against the harassment, calling for it to stop and ensuring a safe, creative space for the actress.
The trailer for ‘The Little Mermaid’ received over 1.5 million dislikes in just two days. Critics unjustly targeted Halle Bailey’s portrayal of Ariel before seeing the movie.
Imagine being so broken and pathetic in life that your chief concern is the skin color of… a make-believe singing mermaid. https://t.co/7F6F8LT2b9
Moses Ingram faced “hundreds” of racist messages online. Ewan McGregor and Disney stood by Ingram, emphasizing that such behavior has no place in the Star Wars community or any other.
When Tenoch Huerta was cast as Namor in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, cheers erupted from the Hispanic and Latino community. People were thrilled to see such representation on the big screen. However, not everyone was riding the wave of enthusiasm. Marvel Comics artist Mike Deodato Jr. stirred up a storm with a now-deleted Instagram post that was racist and fatphobic.
Deodato’s comment, “You can tell somebody screwed things up when a character from a movie looks in worst shape than the 60-year-old artist who drew him,” next to a bare-backed comparison of himself and Huerta, plunged into racist and body-shaming waters. As fans were quick to point out, hiding behind his Brazilian identity doesn’t make Deodato’s remarks any less problematic. Colorism and racism are sadly a universal issue, and no nationality is exempt, which Huerta has criticised regularly.
Simone Ashley, who was cast as Kate Sharma in the second season of Netflix’s hit series Bridgerton, faced backlash for being cast in a traditionally non-Black role. Bridgerton, known for its racially diverse casting in a Regency-era setting, features Ashley as the romantic lead opposite Jonathan Bailey.
Get ready to fall in love with Simone Ashley, who will play Kate in Season 2 of Bridgerton.
Kate is a smart, headstrong young woman who suffers no fools — Anthony Bridgerton very much included. ` pic.twitter.com/xdVilOjL4Y
Despite the show’s premise of an alternate historical narrative where race isn’t the central focus. Ashley’s casting prompted discussions and some negative reactions concerning historical accuracy and representation. This instance is another example of the challenges actors of color face when they break traditional casting norms to bring diversity to historically white-dominated narratives.
Zendaya’s casting as MJ sparked initial backlash due to changes from the traditional depiction of the character. Zenday did not let the racists get in her way. She fought back against them by wearing red hair and calling Peter Parker “Tiger.”
2018: Kelly Marie Tran as Rose Rico in “Star Wars“
Entertainment Pictures / Alamy Stock Photo
Kelly Marie Tran faced intense online harassment following her role in Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Driven by racism and sexism. Her response, including a powerful essay about her experiences, brought vital attention to the harassment faced by actors of color in major franchises.
And as much as I hate to admit it, I started blaming myself. I thought, “Oh, maybe if I was thinner” or “Maybe if I grow out my hair” and, worst of all, “Maybe if I wasn’t Asian.” For months, I went down a spiral of self-hate, into the darkest recesses of my mind, places where I tore myself apart, where I put their words above my own self-worth.
The casting of Noma Dumezweni as Hermione Granger sparked a debate about the character’s race, despite J.K. Rowling’s support and clarification that Hermione’s race was never specified. The moment was a testament to Dumezweni’s talent and the broader conversations about race and representation in media.
John Boyega’s tenure as Finn in the Star Wars series was marred by racist backlash from the onset. Before the 2015 release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, a small but vocal faction of Twitter users created the hashtag #BoycottStarWarsVII. These individuals accused the film of promoting “white genocide“. Over the years, he became increasingly vocal about the discrimination he faced. Boyega critiqued Hollywood’s racial dynamics and advocates for systemic change.
“I’m in the movie, what are you going to do about it?” Boyega said. “You either enjoy it or you don’t. I’m not saying get used to the future … [it] is already happening. People of colour and women are increasingly being shown on screen. For things to be whitewashed just doesn’t make sense.”
2014: Michael B. Jordan as Johnny Storm in Fantastic Four
Michael B Jordan. Photograph: Daniel Zuchnik/WireImage
When Michael B. Jordan was cast as Johnny Storm/The Human Torch in the 2015 reboot of Fantastic Four, he faced backlash because the character was previously depicted as white in the comics and earlier films. Critics of the casting decision cited a lack of fidelity to the comic book source material as a reason for their disapproval, though these complaints often veered into overtly racist remarks. Jordan addressed the criticism by encouraging audiences to be more accepting of diverse casting choices in familiar roles.
You’re not supposed to go on the Internet when you’re cast as a superhero. But after taking on Johnny Storm in Fantastic Four—a character originally written with blond hair and blue eyes—I wanted to check the pulse out there. I didn’t want to be ignorant about what people were saying. Turns out this is what they were saying: “A black guy? I don’t like it. They must be doing it because Obama’s president” and “It’s not true to the comic.” Or even, “They’ve destroyed it!”
Quvenzhané Wallis, who starred in the title role of Annie in the 2014 remake, faced racism not just for taking on a role traditionally played by white actresses but also through disparaging comments about her name and age during the Oscars. The racial undertones of the criticism highlighted the challenges young Black actors face when stepping into roles in major Hollywood films.
2012: Amandla Stenberg in “The Hunger Games”
The casting of Amandla Stenberg as Rue revealed the ugly side of fandom, with racist tweets sullying the conversation. The incident highlighted a disturbing inability of some fans to empathize with a character portrayed by a Black actress.
It’s on all of us – fans, creators, and media consumers – to advocate for a world where everyone can see themselves as the hero of the story.
