James Franco has been cast to play the role of Cuban Politician Fidel Castro in the upcoming movie, Alina of Cuba. However, fans are not too happy and have called for Pedro Pascal to play the role instead.
Deadline reports that Franco will appear alongside Mía Maestro in the movie.
Alina of Cuba is about Alina Fernández Revuelta, who exiled herself to Spain after years of being one of her father’s most outspoken critics.
But why is Franco getting backlash for playing the role of Castro?
Perhaps it’s because he’s not a Latino actor, which is what fans want as Castro was a Cuban revolutionary.
Many have spoken up on social media and called for Pedro Pascal to replace Franco, as they believe Pascal will be suitable for the role…
“petition to cast Pedro Pascal instead of James Franco as Fidel Castro in ‘Alina of Cuba’,” one fan wrote.
“Hey pro AH accounts, let’s arrange another protest/#boycott to get James Franco replaced with Pedro Pascal for the Fidel Castro role. We’re pretty good at it.” said another.
Actor John Leguizamo was also outraged by the news that Franco has been hired to play the character…
Leguizamo took to Instagram and wrote: “How is this still going on? How is Hollywood excluding us but stealing our narratives as well? No more appropriation Hollywood and streamer! Boycott! This F’d up! Plus seriously difficult story to tell without aggrandizement which would b wrong!”
Despite Leguizamo’s comment on Franco, producer John Martinez O’Fela has revealed why they decided to cast Franco as Castro…
“Finding and convincing James Franco to play Castro, was a fun and challenging process and has been the collaborative work of the universe,” he said. He added the “director’s original order was to find an actor who holds a close physical resemblance to the real Castro”, as well as looking for someone who “Alina Fernandez would strongly endorse.”
What do you think?