Deadpool cutie Ed Skrein (above and below) had no idea when he accepted the role of rugged Major Ben Daimio in the upcoming Hellboy reboot that the character was of Asian heritage. As he is NOT of Asian heritage, himself, the casting news was met with much hew and cry from the graphic novel’s fans.
Here was his response:
— Ed Skrein (@edskrein) August 28, 2017
You might call similar backlashes when Scarlett Johansson was cast as a Japanese human-cyborg in Ghost in the Shell and Tilda Swinton got the role as the Ancient One in Doctor Strange — a character depicted as an Asian male in the comic source material. Both actors stayed in the role, and grew to regret their decision.
Here is what Lionsgate studio had to say about Ed’s exit:
“Ed came to us and felt very strongly about this. We fully support his unselfish decision,” Lionsgate said in a statement. “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.”
The creator of the Hellboy comic book, Mike Mignola, thanked Skrein on Twitter.
“Very nicely done,” he added.
The studio will now focus on re-casting the role of the former US Marine. The film begins shooting this October.
Great response all around. Let’s hope his is a trend. (Photos: Pacific Coast News; via Variety)
