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?
You can say that again! Our chief actor in charge is sure doing a bang up job? Qualified for the job NOT! Big money put the actor in the white/black house. All public servants are actors because they resemble a movie with a bad script. Go stick your head in the sand and watch the new non wizards of ozzie.
If the time period called for dark skinned Egyptians (which they probably were) then yeah it was a f-up. But if it’s merely affirmativd action at play, then NO APOLOGY NEEDED. Still more, it’s always possible a studio can choose to cast whatever color they choose. There’s plenty of colored money in Hollywood and New York. The time for whining has passed. Us poor iowa folks need to be cast!
what about this new version of the wizard of oz, all black actors.
@David-Obviously, there were no white actors who were qualified. What rank discrimination.
The Wiz is not new, The movie came out in the 70’s and had an all black cast back then also. Michael Jackson played the scarecrow. IMO it was not a very good movie.
You missed the whole point. The point is there should NOT be a all black or all white movie or any movies cast with either white or blacks. It should be actors no matter what color their skin is. This is reverse discrimination any way you look at it.
I didn’t miss anything, I got the point just fine and I agree with it. I was just stating that there was a movie in the 70’s where they did the same thing Ann it was called the Wiz also.
OK-I understand now. I must have missed that movie back in the 70’s, or else I forgot. that’s what old guys do is forget. Lots of INFO up there to remember.
So, they want blacks in even if they are not as good. That will just put other people out of works. It smacks of the same crap they did in college, allow blacks in over whites even if they were not as qualified. That id discrimination if there ever was. Blacks should have the same opportunity as everyone else and if not as good they should NOT get the job just because they are black.
the film is supposed to take place in north africa. The LAST race they should have been casting was Caucasian. I encourage people to vote with there pocketbooks and don’t go if they don’t like it. I will be missing this 140 million dollar blockbuster turd in theatres.
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=egyptian+actors
and look through the pictures at the top of screen…
see any roody-poos?
boo f’n hoo. you ever seen a tyler perry movie? get over it you whinny pussys. this is why america sucks, every ones too worried about not hurting the colored people. white lives matter too