Hellboy reboot accused of whitewashing Asian role

From Digital Spy

The Hellboy reboot has come under fire after whitewashing an Asian-American character.

The Hollywood Reporter states that Deadpool star Ed Skrein is joining the cast of the movie as Ben Daimio, who works for the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense.

Ben transforms into a were-jaguar under stress.

In the comics source material, the character is Japanese-American, but the movie has cast a white actor in the role, leading some people to voice complaints online.

Some pointed out that there are plenty of Asian actors that could have been considered for the part:

While others expressed discontent and called for Hollywood to do better:

"Is [Ed Skrein] famous? No. You can find Asian talent, but you made this choice instead," wrote one Twitter user. "Even if he was famous... you take a Japanese American character & #whitewash him.

"I get to make a choice. F this noise."

Related: Ghost in the Shell studio blames whitewashing controversy for box office flop

This casting is just the latest in a long string of whitewashing in the industry. The most prominent example in recent months, of course, is Scarlett Johansson in Ghost in the Shell.

But despite the huge outrage and controversy surrounding it – and despite that movie underperforming at the box office – it seems Hollywood isn't paying much attention.

Stranger Things' David Harbour, Milla Jovovich and Ian McShane were previously confirmed to be in the new movie adaptation of Mike Mignola's Hellboy comic books.

Want up-to-the-minute entertainment news and features? Just hit 'Like' on our Digital Spy Facebook page and 'Follow' on our @digitalspy Twitter account and you're all set.

You Might Also Like

• HARPER BECKHAM JUST FOUND OUT THAT HER MUM WAS A SPICE GIRL

• WHAT 15 CELEBRITIES WOULD LOOK LIKE WITH BIG '80S HAIR

• 34 TIMES THE DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE DRESSED LIKE PRINCESS DIANA