Samuel L. Jackson has shared his concern regarding the casting of the newly released horror film, Get Out and John Boyega has no time for it.
Get Out follows the story of an African American man visiting his white girlfriend’s hometown for the first time, with horrifyingly violent results as a consequence of the residents’ vicious strand of racism.
While some have hailed the film as an important commentary on race relations, Sam Jackson isn’t convinced.
The lead role is played by the British actor, Daniel Kaluuya. Jackson believes the role should instead have gone to an African American actor.
Samuel told Hot 97:
I know the young brother that’s in the movie. He’s British… So, there are a lot of black British actors in these movies. I tend to wonder what Get Out would have been with an American brother who really understands that.
I mean, Daniel grew up in a country where they’ve been inter-racially dating for a hundred years. There’s only about eight real white people living in Britain.
Samuel added:
What would a brother from America have made of that role? I’m sure the director helped, but some things are universal, but everything ain’t. There are some brothers from America who could’ve been in that movie.
You can watch the full interview here:
Responding to Jackson’s outburst, Boyega retweeted this status:
Following that, he shared his own sentiment with his Twitter followers.
Boyega dubbed the whole affair ‘A stupid ass conflict’.
He also stated he has no time for it:
Speaking to The Guardian, Jordan Peele explained his decision to enlist Kaluuya:
I didn’t want to go with a British actor because this movie was so much about representation of the African American experience.
Early on, Daniel and I had a Skype session where we talked about this and I was made to understand how universal this issue is.
Indeed Kaluuya himself has expressed his passion for the project, saying:
I know what it means to be stopped by police. I’ve been stopped by police a lot. And the party scene, when everyone was highlighting how black Chris was and saying ‘black’ things and being nice. You kind of can’t say anything, because you know the intention is to make people feel welcome.
Only a black guy could write this, only someone that lives this. I’ve been to so many parties in England and in America that’s exactly like that, where you’re kind of like seen as Other.
Although the film is marred in controversy, many have hailed it as a important cinematic exploration of race in America – which are indeed issues that translate across the pond here in Britain.
Get Out is in cinemas nationwide now.
A former emo kid who talks too much about 8Chan meme culture, the Kardashian Klan, and how her smartphone is probably killing her. Francesca is a Cardiff University Journalism Masters grad who has done words for BBC, ELLE, The Debrief, DAZED, an art magazine you’ve never heard of and a feminist zine which never went to print.