Whitewash Wars: White actor turns down role for Asian/American character

Ed Skrein did the right thing by turning down the role to play an Asian/American character in 'Hellboy.

ACTOR Ed Skrein just won over another fan; maybe millions. He turned down a role in the upcoming Hellboy that he learned should go to an Asian/Amerian actor.

"I must do what I feel is right." said Skrein when he learned about the casting controversy for a character that should be portraiyed by an Asian or Asian/American.

Not many actors would turn down a role based on a principle. Screin's parents must have raised him right.

Skrein would have played Major, a character originally portrayed as an Asian/American in the Mike Mignola comic-book series that serves as the source material for the Hellboy franchise.

When he was cast, social media protests exploded on the Internet pointing out that it was another case of whitewashing, similar to what recently happened with Scarlett Johansson in Ghost in A Shell, Emma Stone in Aloha and Tilda Swinton in Dr. Strange, all of whom portrayed characters that were Asian or part-Asian in origin.

Representatives for Lionsgate, the studio producing the film, told the press “Ed came to us and felt very strongly about this. We fully support his unselfish decision.” The statement continues, “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.”

Unfortunately, Skrein's decision is still the exception. He should be commended for "getting it."

"It is our responsibility to make moral decisions in difficult times and to give voice to inclusivity," Skrein stated. "It is my hope that one day these discussions will be less necessary and that we can help make equal representation in the arts a reality."

Skrein's decision didn't go unnoticed by Asian/American actors:

The British actor's entire statement follows:

I accepted the role unaware that the character in the comics is 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 the worrying tendency to obscure ethnic and minority stories and voices in the Arts. I feel it is important to honour and respect that. Therefore I have decided to step down so the role can be cast appropriately.

Representation of ethic diversity is important, especially to me has I have a mixed heritage family. 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 be less necessary and that we can help make equal representation in the Arts a reality.

I am sad to leave Hellboy but if this decision brings us closer to that day, it is worth it. I hope it makes a difference.

Skeinn is not a household name and he could have used this role to springboard to bigger parts, but he chose not to take that selfish path. He'll get other roles and the publicity from his decision will likely open more doors. (That is an option that's not available for most AAPI actors.) Let's hope that Skrein's precedent-setting act inspires other actors with even bigger names to think twice before taking roles meant for Asian or Asian/American actors. _________________________________________________________________________________