Damage control is already beginning on the big, CGI-soaked “Gods Of Egypt,” set to open in a couple of months. The filmmakers have been called out for casting largely white players in the ancient Egypt set tale, leading to both Lionsgate and director Alex Proyas to issue apologies about the film’s lack of diversity. And now, one of the film’s stars has also addressed the controversy.
Chadwick Boseman is one of the few faces of color in the picture, and speaking with GQ, he says he took on the role precisely to add some diversity to the cast. However, while he defends participating in the movie, he critiques an industry that still has much work when it comes to inclusivity.
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“I generally try to tune things like press controversy out, but some people around me told me, ‘Hey… you might wanna look at this.’ And when I originally was approached with the script, I thought this [critique] might come up, I really did. And I’m thankful that it did, because actually, I agree with it,” the actor said. “That’s why I wanted to do it, so you would see someone of African descent playing Thoth, the father of mathematics, astronomy, the god of wisdom. And in the movie, I actually outnumber the other gods in the movie, literally and figuratively. It’s hard for people to know that without seeing it. But yeah, people don’t make $140 million movies starring black and brown people. [Shakes head.]”
And while Boseman will be leading Marvel’s “Black Panther,” set to be helmed by “Creed” director Ryan Coogler, you’d be hard pressed to name another upcoming blockbuster with a black or brown lead. And that’s exactly Boseman’s point.
Share your thoughts below. “Gods Of Egypt” opens on February 25, 2016.
