Scottish actor Gerald James Butler is the lead actor in "Gods of Egypt," a film considered as an example of whitewashing in Hollywood. (Photo : YouTube / LastweekTonight)
Amidst the current white washing in Hollywood, many performers and audience worldwide love to have a more multicultural future through diverse casting. For instance, "Life of Pi" had Taiwan-born director Ang Lee and starred an actor from India whose live actions were mixed with computer graphics.
Many artists like Indian-American actress Monisha Shiva believes that diverse casting not only makes better films but better world. It enriches people's vision and imagination, since they are thinking of a different world. Hence, it is about time for art to make new visions.
However, there is still an ongoing whitewashing in Hollywood. White actors are asked to play roles written for non-whites has enraged, hurt and irritated many. Recently, Tilda Swinton was tapped for a role that was originally for a Tibetan in Marvel's "Doctor Strange," according to ABC News.
In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it is implicated that every white hero has a black sidekick, according to The Hollywood Reporter. There are also cases when a supposed white character is portrayed by a black actor, just like Chiwetel Ejiofor who plays Baron Mordo, a white man in the comics, in "Doctor Strange." However, changes in casting are given only a bit of thoughts.
South Korean star Soo Hyun aka Claudia Kim feels lucky to portray independent Asian women in movies like Dr. Helen Cho in 2015 "Avengers: Age of Ultron" of Marvel comics. However, she was confused when an Asian role she auditioned for in a Hollywood film went to a white actress.
Filmmakers justify that acting is not about nationality or skin color, but talent. For example, Scarlett Johansson's casting in the Japanese manga-based "Ghost in the Shell" created an uproar about whitewashing.
Kaori Momoi, who starred in "Memoirs of a Geisha" and "Ghost in the Shell" was impressed by Johansson. Momoi, who portrayed the mother of Johansson's character in "Ghost in the Shell" was all praises for Johansson's professionalism, devotion and skill.
Momoi was famous in Japan before acting abroad and sees Hollywood promising more opportunities. She enjoys the novelty of it all, and not just being Kaori Momoi. She loves how independent films get more potential and recognition in the United States.
Furthermore, whitewashing is not happening in Hollywood alone. Indian actor Vijay Varma, who appeared in a crime story with lots of endings, "Monsoon Shootout," also sees insularity in Bollywood. India's entertainment industry is dominated by families and prioritizes mass appeal, so it usually casts familiar faces only.
Check out the subject of whitewashing in Hollywood in the hilarious video clip below.
