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John Leguizamo spoke out against the casting of James Franco as Cuban revolutionary Fidel Castro in the upcoming film, Alina of Cuba.
“How is this still going on?” asked Leguizamo–an advocate for Latino representation in Hollywood.
\u201cJohn Leguizamo took to Instagram to speak out against the recent casting of James Franco as Cuban revolutionary Fidel Castro in the upcoming independent film, \u201cAlina of Cuba.\u201d\n\nhttps://t.co/7id3R2Wx0S\u201d— Variety (@Variety) 1659722959
Following the August 4 announcement of Franco's casting as the former Cuban leader, Leguizamo wrote on Instagram:
“How is Hollywood excluding us but stealing our narratives as well? No more appropriation Hollywood and streamers! Boycott!"
The 58-year-old Colombian-born actor continued:
"This F’d up! Plus seriously difficult story to tell without aggrandizement, which would be wrong!"
"I don’t got a [problem] with Franco but he ain’t Latino!”
Franco is 44 and a native of California. His father was of Portuguese and Swedish ancestry and his mother is Jewish, from a family of Russian Jewish descent.
Alina of Cuba–directed by Miguel Bardem and based on a script written by Jose Rivera and Nilo Cruz–is scheduled to start shooting in Colombia on August 15.
The film centers around the titular character, Alina Fernandez–Castro’s illegitimate daughter. She was an anti-communist activist who was an outspoken critic of the government of Cuba and opposed Castro's reign before defecting to Spain in 1993.
The real-life Fernandez is participating in the film production as an on-set creative and biographical consultant.
She also supported Franco's casting in the role, according to Variety.
However, not all moviegoers were on board with the casting choice.
Many agreed with Leguizamo's frustration.
\u201c@Variety Have to agree with him. Aren't we beyond casting non-Latinos or any other ethnicity with Caucasian actors at this point? Basically, Depp as Tonto. This is so Hollywood.\u201d— Variety (@Variety) 1659722959
\u201c@Variety Nothing against Franco as an actor, he\u2019s a natural and very gifted comedian. Him in a beard will look like a spoof segment from his movie The Interview. Please cast a Latine.\u201d— Variety (@Variety) 1659722959
\u201c@Variety That\u2019s terrible. Is he not going to speak Spanish? I am Cuban-American and this just is wrong. Oscar Isaac is half Cuban and speaks perfect Spanish.\u201d— Variety (@Variety) 1659722959
\u201c@Variety as he should James Franco is a WHITE MAN . are there NO Cuban Male actors in the industry ???\u201d— Variety (@Variety) 1659722959
\u201c@Variety Once again white washing at its finest in Hollywood\u201d— Variety (@Variety) 1659722959
\u201c@Variety for a number of reasons, i would be way more interested in this movie if it was Leguizamo in the role\u201d— Variety (@Variety) 1659722959
Some people didn't understand the problem and called out Leguizamo for having played Luigi, a fictional Italian character in the film Super Mario Bros. based on the popular video game franchise.
\u201c@Variety Is this the same John Lequizamo who played an Italian in the landmark movie of the 90s, Super Mario Brothers?\u201d— Variety (@Variety) 1659722959
\u201c@Variety See...I agree with the point he's trying to make, but there's two problems. 1. Castro's parents were both from Spain. He was white. 2. Every time Leguizamo tries to talk about race, I immediately remember that he was in this movie. \nhttps://t.co/xyV7mDfFYE\u201d— Variety (@Variety) 1659722959
\u201c@Variety First of all, James Franco kind of resembles Castro with that beard. You\u2019d be hard-pressed to find a better lookalike. Secondly, it\u2019s not like Castro was a native. He has European blood. Third, it doesn\u2019t f\u2019n matter if his ancestry matches the person the actor is playing.\u201d— Variety (@Variety) 1659722959
And those critics were silenced.
\u201c@Variety Those who don't see a problem with it never have their stories taken from them. This is a real historical figure. Most of you complain when fairytale characters are switched. I can give a long list. I promise they will never have a POC portray JFK.\u201d— Variety (@Variety) 1659722959
\u201c@Variety I am tired of dismissive comments towards the one who is simply speaking on behalf of representation. Hollywood has casted white people in ethnic roles FOREVER. With all the talent and diversity out there, we don\u2019t have to do that anymore. Leguizamo has a valid point.\u201d— Variety (@Variety) 1659722959
Leguizamo has long been outspoken about the lack of Latinx representation in Hollywood.
In a 2020 interview with PEOPLE, the Romeo + Juliet actor said:
"We're less than 1% of the stories told by Hollywood and streaming media and networks when we're almost 20% of the population, 25% of the U.S. box office."
"I just feel like it's such a damage to kids not to see themselves reflected back in positive ways."