As with any casting that sparks controversy lately, there is a petition to go with Warner Bros.’ decision to cast Rooney Mara as Tiger Lily for its upcoming Peter Pan movie. The petition slams the studio for picking a white actress to play a Native American character and even claimed that the studio was “unapologetic” in a statement.
Mara joined Pan just last week. The film, which will star Hugh Jackman and Garrett Hedlund, is planned as a prequel to J.M. Barrie’s iconic story about a boy who never wanted to grow up. It will be directed by Joe Wright (Anna Karenina) and is going to tell the story of how Peter Pan helped save Neverland from pirates. Newcomer Levi Miller will play Peter.
Almost instantly, Mara’s casting sparked controversy, as many wondered why Warner Bros. couldn’t find a Native American actress to play the role. It was also followed by a Care2 petition, which now has 6,240 signatures.
“A statement by the studio was unapologetic, and said a black actress and a French actress were first considered for the role,” petition author Kristi Arnold wrote. “This casting choice is particularly shameful for a children's movie. Telling children their role models must all be white is unacceptable.”
Arnold claimed that Warner also said, “The world being created is multi-racial/international – and a very different character than previously imagined” in a statement. “Yet it stars Mara and two white guys - Hugh Jackman and Garrett Hedlund. Not so multi-racial after all, Warner Bros,” Arnold wrote.
While Arnold may have a point, The Hollywood Reporter notes that the studio did not issue this statement. It actually comes from a news article.
Lupita Nyong’o (12 Years A Slave) and Adele Exarchopoulos (Blue Is The Warmest Color) were also reportedly up for the role before Mara was picked.
Pan is scheduled for July 17, 2015.
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