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Culture > Entertainment

This Actor Gave Up His Role in the ‘Hellboy’ Reboot After Whitewashing Backlash

Abbey Williams

The Hellboy reboot is the latest film to face a whitewashing controversy, but this situation is different than ones in the past. The actor at the center of the backlash, Ed Skrein, has given up his role in the film after being cast less than a week ago. Skrein was set to play Major Ben Daimio, a Japanese-American character, but fans didn’t respond positively to his hiring. 

Due to the controversy, Skrein made the choice to drop out of the film Monday night, expressing his views on the issue on Twitter. “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 honor and respect that. Therefore, I have decided to step down so the role can be cast appropriately,” his statement read. 

Skrein’s decision was met with praise from not only fans but also the creator of Hellboy, Mike Mignola. “Thank you @edskrein very nicely done…” he tweeted. 

Props to Skrein for listening to fans’ concerns and putting his own career on the line to prevent whitewashing. His respect and awareness of the issue are admirable.

Abbey Williams

U Wyoming '19

Abbey is a senior at the University of Wyoming and is currently majoring in Journalism. She couldn't imagine a world without Jesus, coffee, The 1975, Twitter or her family. You'll usually find her at a concert or cafe somewhere, which is where she spends majority of her free-time. Talking to band members after their shows is a hobby, along with thrifting & indulging in all aspects of pop culture. After college, she plans to spend more time at concerts, getting paid to write about music and bands.