Hollywood Reporter: Actor Daniel Dae Kim's latest role is behind the camera

Daniel Dae Kim, actor AND producer

AFTER HIS CONTROVERSIAL departure from CBS hit Hawaii Five-0, actor Daniel Dae Kim has fallen into the role of being the poster child of the racial inequities that exist in the world's entertainment capitol, whether it be in casting or in Hollywood's creative decision-making process.

In his latest Q&A with The Hollywood Reporter, he touches on his successful series produced by his production company The Good Doctor and how it has become a vehicle for his beliefs; and his role as Hellboy's Major Ben Daimo, the first Asian/American comic book superhero to be depicted on the big screen. 

The Hollywood Reporter spoke to Kim about what it means to play an Asian/American superhero, his goals as a producer, and the aftermath of his taking a stand on salary parity

"I ... think it's really important that all of us do something to participate. It's easy to point fingers and say well, it's because of this, that. To get involved in the nitty-gritty is sometimes a daunting task, but a necessary one.

"Something I often say is, I stand on the shoulders of the people who came before [me], and I’m ready to lift up people to stand on my shoulders. And one of the ways we can do that is to hire them. And that’s why it was so important for me to be a job creator, because there is no substitute for on-the-job experience," Kim said.

"A lot of us, and I can tell you from experience, just didn’t have the kind of opportunity it required to get better at the same rate as others.

"So it’s really important to me to create those opportunities," Kim continued. "And as a producer, I think The Good Doctor shows that I’m not in it to create roles for myself, although I won’t rule that out, but it’s not my primary focus."

To read the entire interview, click here.

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Daniel Dae Kim confirms that he will do 'Hellboy' role that was previously whitewashed

Daniel Dae Kim, right, will play Major Ben Daimio, left, in the upcoming motion picture 'Hellboy.'

You can call it karma or you can call it justice. In any case, Daniel Dae Kim confirmed  Wednesday (Sept. 13) that he has signed on to play the Japanese/American character in Hellboy.

Kim takes over the role that was originally given to Ed Skrein, the white actor who voluntarily stepped aside so that a culturally appropriate actor could play the role of Major Ben Daimio, a rugged military member of the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense who, due to a supernatural encounter, can turn into a jaguar when angered or in pain. 

The character is Japanese/American in the Hellboy comics by creator Mike Mignola.

In August, Skrein was cast in the part but, after an outcry over whitewashing an Asian/American character, made the morally courageous and unprecedented decision to step down later that month. 

“It is clear that representing this character in a culturally accurate way holds significance for people, and that to neglect this responsibility would continue a worrying tendency to obscure ethnic minority stories and voice in the Arts. I feel it is important to honor and respect that,” Skrein said in a statement at the time.

In his statement, Kim now says, "I’m excited to confirm that I’ve officially joined the cast of Hellboy. We start shooting today (Sept. 13) and I’ll be playing Ben Daimio, alongside our very talented cast, headed by David Harbour, and director, Neil Marshall. Thank you for all the supportive tweets and comments, especially in light of the recent events surrounding its original casting."

In a statement, Kim said: “I applaud the producers and, in particular, Ed Skrein for championing the notion that Asian characters should be played by Asian or Asian-American actors,” said Kim. “He could not have addressed the issue more elegantly and I remain indebted to him for his strength of character."

Skrein announced his decision on Twitter in August, noting that while he was "sad" to not be part of the film, he wanted to help bring positive change to representation in Hollywood.

"It is clear that representing this character in a culturally accurate way holds significance for people, and that to neglect this responsibility would continue a worrying tendency to obscure ethnic minority stories and voices in the arts," Skrein wrote.

Earlier this year, Kim and co-star Grace Park stepped away from their roles earlier because they were unable to get salaries comparable to their white co-stars in Hawaii Five-0. Considering how rare Asian/American actors get meaty roles, Kim made it clear that part of his decision to leave the successful TV series was based on the principal of equity.

CBS denied that race had anything to do with the difficult contract negotiations with the Korean/American actors.

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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. _________________________________________________________________________________