You may know him for his roles in Deadpool and Transporter, not to mention he briefly played Daario Naharis on Game of Thrones. But Ed Skrein is giving up quite the plumb role for something more important. Diversity in Hollywood. Skrein signed on to play the role of a character he didn’t know had Asian characteristics in upcoming Hellboy. When he found out, he simply quit the film.
In an official statement released after the public announcement of his dropping out of the film, Ed Skrein posted a note to social media that read:
“I accepted the role unaware that 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 cultural 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 honour 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 brings us closer to that day, it is worth it. I hope it makes a difference.”
