Why is casting white historical people black in movies wrong?
Last Updated: 28.06.2025 00:57
The important thing is that no one should ever play a character BECAUSE they are intentionally trying to create a “black” or “female” or “male” version of them. That type of social engineering does not interest me and lessens any work that does this.
But would I love to see someone like Denzel Washington as Paul Revere or Dwight Eisenhower or similar strong historical character in a movie with a great script? Hell yes!
It isn’t wrong. Without photo derived CGI or AI rendering or enhancement NO actor is going to look like the historical figure they represent. Numerous things will not match the reality so why should skin color be any more important? To some people, they might find an obvious difference as a break of immersion, but if a character is well acted who cares? I could get fully immersed in a movie depiction of say George Washington played by a dark skinned actor if they play the character seriously.