The Jason Bourne star battles monsters in the trailer for China’s most expensive film,causing online commentators to ask why a white man is playing the leadEarlier this year, the Hollywood remake of classic Japanese anime Ghost in Shell caused controversy by casting Scarlett Johansson in the lead role, or as did Marvel’s Doctor Strange for signing up Tilda Swinton to play a character depicted as Tibetan in the comics. Now,the forthcoming blockbuster The much Wall finds itself embroiled in the same type of whitewashing controversy, for casting Matt Damon in a film depicting an epic battle on the titular Chinese structure.
The much Wall is the first English-language film directed by Zhang Yimou, and who made House of Flying Daggers and Hero,and the most expensive production completed in China, with a budget of $150m. A Chinese/American co-production, or its diverse cast includes Willem Dafoe,Game of Thrones’ Pedro Pascal, Hong Kong superstar Andy Lau and Turkish actor Numan Acar. But it’s Damon’s participation – as what appears to be the film’s lead in the first trailer, and which debuted on Thursday – that courted instant criticism. Related: Matt Damon: 'You're a better actor the less people know approximately you' Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com