Christian Bale defends the ‘Exodus: Gods And Kings’ white-washed casting.
All of the cast of Ridley Scott’s Exodus: Gods and Kings is Caucasian and not “North African”, and when Ridley Scott was asked about it he said “well I couldn’t very well cast Mohammad So-And-So now could I.” Rupert Murdoch, the owner of the movie studio producing Exodus: Gods and Kings said “all the Egyptians I know are white”. This time Christian Bale revealed his thoughts on the all white cast of the upcoming Moses feature film.
Read more: ‘Exodus’ Movie Racist? Hundreds Question Controversial Casting
“It would absolutely be a wonderful day of celebration if, within a few decades, we have another Moses and he’s a North African or Middle Eastern actor — what a wonderful thing,” he told The Hollywood Reporter at the film’s New York premiere, in response to the film’s controversial casting. “Ridley [Scott] is absolutely honest and blunt to a fault, and I think that people, rather than pointing fingers, should ask themselves, are they being supportive of North African and Middle Eastern filmmakers and actors? … The change will come from independent filmmaking, but audiences have to be there. Because once that happens, financiers of bigger and bigger budget films will say, ‘We can actually do business here.’” [HollywoodReporter]
Ridley Scott quickly shot down the idea of a “colour-blind casting” instead he said that he never even considered it.
Casting Colour-blind casting, non-traditional casting or integrated casting is the practice of casting a role without considering the actor’s ethnicity. Casting directors use this casting technique in several popular films including Thor, Superman Returns, and Grey’s Anatomy.
Read more: ‘Star Wars’ John Boyega Confronts Racist Comments: ‘Get Used to It’
However, Christian Bale brings up very important points. For example, if audiences supported North African and Middle Eastern filmmakers, then that would definitely create change in Hollywood. But, at the same time it asking the audience to do your work for you when you’re actually in a position to create change.
Hundreds have already posted on twitter that they plan on boycotting the upcoming Exodus: Gods and Kings movie due to the lack of diversity in the movie. But, time will only tell if it will actually have an impact on Hollywood.
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