Ed Skrein Exits Neil Marshall’s Hellboy Reboot Following Claims of ‘Whitewashing’
Debi Moore
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At least one actor in Hollywood seems to be “woke” with regard to the ubiquitous “whitewashing” taking place these days…
In a statement on his Twitter page, Ed Skrein has decided to exit Neil Marshall and Lionsgate’s upcoming Hellboy reboot, saying that he was “unaware that the character [he had been hired to play] in the original comics was of mixed Asian heritage” and therefore is stepping down after being cast as Major Ben Daimio. You can read his remarks in full below.
— Ed Skrein (@edskrein) August 28, 2017
In addition, per THR, Lionsgate also made a statement: “Ed came to us and felt very strongly about this. We fully support his unselfish decision. 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.”
David Harbour plays Hellboy in the new version with Ian McShane portraying Professor Broom and Milla Jovovich co-starring as the villainess of the film, a medieval sorceress who seeks to destroy humankind.
Directed by Neil Marshall, Hellboy is based on a script by Andrew Cosby, Christopher Golden, and Mike Mignola, who is the creator of the Hellboy universe. The latest draft was done by Aron Coleite (“Heroes,” “Star Trek: Discovery”). Larry Gordon and Lloyd Levin are producing along with Mike Richardson of Dark Horse Entertainment. Millennium Films and Lionsgate are making the film.
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