An Ex-‘GoT’ Actor Just Pulled Out Of The ‘Hellboy’ Reboot Over Whitewashing

British actor Ed Skrein has announced he’s withdrawing from the upcoming Hellboy film in a thoughtful and considered post made of social media earlier this morning.

Skrein’s casting in the film as Major Ben Daimio had attracted a fair degree of controversy, given the original character is a Japanese-American man, and Skrein himself is purely Caucasian. The casting of Skrein followed a string of Hollywood whitewashing controversies, including the likes of Scarlett Johansson‘s casting in Ghost in the Shell and Emma Stone‘s casting as a half-Hawaiian half-Chinese air force pilot in Cameron Crowe‘s middling Aloha.

Skrein, after learning of the controversy, announced he’d be withdrawing from the role in the upcoming Hellboy: Rise of the Blood Queen, asserting that it was extremely important to “make moral decisions in difficult times and to give voice to inclusivity.”

Last week it was announced that I would be playing Major Ben Daimio in the upcoming HELLBOY reboot. I accepted the role unaware that the character in the original comics was 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 a worrying tendency to obscure ethnic 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 ethnic diversity is important, especially to me as 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 become 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.

With love and hope,

Ed Skrein.

The producers of the film issued a statement following Skrein’s announcement, stating they supported his “unselfish” decision and more or less confirming they’re gonna have another – much better – crack at casting the part.

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.

Skrein has been widely praised for his decision on social media, with people calling his move the right decision to make given the circumstances, while thanking him for his selfless and considered statement.

The rebooted Hellboy film is scheduled for release in 2018.

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