There’s some controversy surrounding the Hellboy reboot at the moment, as actor Ed Skrein joined the cast last week as Major Ben Daimio, but he has since backed out.
After Skrein was cast, there was some backlash from fans who accused Hollywood of whitewashing once again due to the character’s Asian heritage. Once Ed Skrein caught wind of the backlash, he gave up the role and issued the following statement:
“Last week it was announced that I would be playing Major Ben Daimio in the upcoming HELLBOY reboot. I accepted the role unaware 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 honor 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 bring sus closer to that day, it is work it. I hope it makes a difference.”
“Agents of SHIELD” star Chloe Bennet has talked about how her heritage has impacted her career in Hollywood in the past, and she noted that she had to change her last name to get roles. After Chloe praised Ed Skrein on Instagram, a commenter criticized her for changing her last name and she responded with the following:
“Changing my last name doesn’t change the fact that my BLOOD is half Chinese, that I lived in China, speak Mandarin or that I was culturally raised both American and Chinese,” Bennet replied. “It means I had to pay my rent, and Hollywood is racist and wouldn’t cast me with a last name that made them uncomfortable. I’m doing everything I can, with the platform I have, to make sure no one has to change their name again, just so they can get work. So kindly love, f–k off.”
Stepping down from the Hellboy reboot was a bold move for Ed Skrein, and Bennet had nothing but praise for him. Chloe posted the following:
“DAMN, that’s a man. Thank you @edskrein for standing up against hollywoods continuous insensitivity and flippant behavior towards the Asian American community. There is no way this decision came lightly on your part, so thank you for your bravery and genuinely impactful step forward. I hope this inspires other actors/film makers to do the same.👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼–Also, dayum cute af AND a pioneer for social injustice?! Fellas, take note. That’s how it’s done.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/BYXlLkNDq7W/?hl=en&taken-by=chloebennet
