Gods of Egypt director and movie studio, Lionsgate, have finally issued an apology for white washing the cast of the movie.
Director Alexy Proyas and Lionsgate, the movie studio behind Gods of Egypt, have publicly apologized after the movie’s casting sparked online controversy.
The movie came under fire after casting several white actors like Gerard Butler, Brenton Thwaites and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau in the roles of gods and mortals traveling through ancient Egypt.
“The process of casting a movie has many complicated variables, but it is clear that our casting choices should have been more diverse,” Proyas said in a statement obtained by TheWrap. “I sincerely apologize to those who are offended by the decisions we made.”
The movie studio also responded with an apology.
“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,” the company said. “Lionsgate is deeply committed to making films that reflect the diversity of our audiences. We have, can and will continue to do better.??”
This is not the first time Hollywood’s white representation of ancient Egypt has came under fire. Earlier this year Ridley Scott’s Exodus: Gods and Kings got into trouble when it was released last year.
Joe Wright’s Pan was also criticized when he cast Rooney Mara to play the role of Tiger Lily, a traditionally Native American character.
Gods of Egypt will be released on February 26, 2016. Gods of Egypt centers around the Egyptian god of darkness Set as he takes over the throne of the Egyptian empire. A mortal hero, Bek, allies with the Egyptian god Horus in a mission to save the world and to rescue his love.
But, not everyone was impressed with the Gods of Egypt apology.
Lionsgate and the #GodsOfEgypt response to the racist casting is by far the most unintentionally HILARIOUS thing I’ve EVER seen.
— Kevin Grüssing (@KevDGrussing) November 28, 2015
Is there anything more #racist than being forced to apologize for the color of someone’s skin? @GodsofEgypt #racism
— Nicholas James (@rodrignj) November 28, 2015
Except for Nile beauties were black… Good joob making another incredibly racist “historical epic”. No thanks. https://t.co/SH3WyO4RX6
— GelatoMonster ?•?•?? (@DebonaireToast) November 27, 2015
I expressed my anger about the majority of cast for “Gods of Egypt” being white, when my racist room-mate said: EGYPTIANS WEREN’T BLACK
— Iana? (@moshengyana) November 22, 2015
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