Australian filmmaker Alex Proyas and Lionsgate have both apologised for the casting of action fantasy movie Gods of Egypt, which stars predominately white actors playing Egyptian gods.
The film is about mortals and gods of Ancient Egypt starring Brenton Thwaites (Australia), Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Denmark), Gerard Butler (Scotland), Rufus Sewell (England) and Geoffrey Rush (Australia). The $US140 million film was shot at Sydney’s Fox Studios last year and opens in Australia on February 25 2016.
People’s response over Twitter has been largely critical of the film’s casting decision:
May #GodsOfEgypt go the way of #Stonewall Because accuracy matters
— Ms. Brooks™ (@TheREAL_MBrooks) November 29, 2015
I am tired of movies about ancient Africans with no black pple in them. Over a billion of us, time for proper representation. #GodsOfEgypt — Javette Nixon (@Jah_vetted) November 29, 2015
I’m tired of these movies like #GodsOfEgypt that cast white people as leads when they’re in a predominantly Black Continent #BlackInAmerica — August 5th 誰に愛されて (@MixCultureFlow) November 20, 2015
What a revelation to discover that the ancient Egyptians (and their deities) were apparently British underwear-models. #GodsOfEgypt #SideEye
— Jonathan Kieran (@JonathanKieran) November 20, 2015
What I learned from #GodsOfEgypt trailer is that most of their gods are white. — The Fabster (@HollyweirdoFab) November 20, 2015
In joint statements released to Forbes, Lionsgate said: “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 apologise.
“Lionsgate is deeply committed to making films that reflect the diversity of our audiences. We have, can and will continue to do better.”
Alex Proyas said: “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.”
The apology seems to have fallen on deaf ears:
What Twitter thinks of the #GodsOfEgypt apology: pic.twitter.com/mjtUnAKLoY — Lexi Alexander (@Lexialex) November 27, 2015
Me reading that #GodsOfEgypt fauxpology: pic.twitter.com/ZQxKOYuPFr
— Eric Haywood (@EricHaywood) November 27, 2015
#GodsOfEgypt … when studios sit down to go over casting, they make a conscious decision to #whitewash … apology NOT accepted ! — Autonomy (@Autonomy_Music) November 30, 2015
This kind of apology never happens – for something that happens all the time. An unusual occurrence worth noting. https://t.co/xRTEy7woWs
— Ava DuVernay (@AVAETC) November 28, 2015
But of course, this wouldn’t be a B&T article without a Star Wars reference:
GODS OF EGYPT makes me value Abrams’ STAR WARS choices more. Makes me cheer more for Coogler’s CREED. We all deserve icons in our own image.
— Ava DuVernay (@AVAETC) November 28, 2015
