LOS ANGELES – A Hollywood movie studio and director have issued apologies for a movie they made about ancient Egypt that has all white actors.
Lionsgate and Alex Proyas made a film called Gods of Egypt that will be in theaters February 26, 2016. “A god will rise. The epic battle for mankind’s future begins,” so the movie claims, which is set thousands of years ago in Egypt, located in North Africa.
Now, another, smaller battle is being waged here in the real world after some folks noticed that there are only white people cast in the movie – at least in the main roles. Once word got out, many began to call out Lionsgate and Proyas and mock the movie with lines like “whitewashing” and “More diversity! Less white people!”
Proyas recently issued an apology, saying “The process of casting a movie has many complicated variables, but it is clear that our casting choices should have been more diverse. I sincerely apologize to those who are offended by the decisions we made.”
Lionsgate also released a statement through Variety magizine, saying: “We recognize that it is our responsibility to help ensure that casting decisions reflect the diversity and culture of the time periods portrayed. In this instance we failed to live up to our own standards of sensitivity and diversity, for which we sincerely apologize. Lionsgate is deeply committed to making films that reflect the diversity of our audiences. We have, can and will continue to do better.”
Do you think an apology was warranted?
