James Gunn, the director of the highly anticipated Guardians of the Galaxy 3, has responded to racist comments on social media about the casting of Chukwudi Iwuji as the villain in the upcoming film.
The Nigerian-born actor has been cast as The High Evolutionary, the creator of Rocket, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Even though the character is purple in the comics, some people questioned Iwuju’s casting due to his skin color.
In response to the comments, Gunn shared his excitement for Iwuji to join the MCU and put the controversy to rest by stating that he picked the best actor and person for the role, regardless of ethnicity. He added that the character Iwuji plays is almost always purple, so skin color is not a factor in the casting decision.
Some comments questioned why an Asian or Latino actor didn’t portray the character, but Gunn emphasized that he chose Iwuji based on talent, not race or political correctness. “I chose the best actor, period, and the best person for the role. I don’t give a shit what ethnicity Chukwudi Iwuji is, so stop with your racist presumptions on why he was chosen.”
Gunn’s response highlights the importance of diversity and inclusion in the entertainment industry and how talented actors of all ethnicities should have equal opportunities to portray characters. The director’s message also emphasizes the importance of judging actors based on their talent rather than race or gender when making casting decisions.
