Remember the controversy a few weeks ago when Scarlett Johansson was forced out of the production of “Rub & Tug,” a film based on the true story of a woman who decided to live life as a man as she gained control of Pittsburgh’s massage parlor business? You see, Scarlett, who is a woman, was not allowed to play Dante “Tex” Gill, who was also a woman, because that role should have gone to a trans person, even though there’s no evidence that Gill was trans.
Got it?
Well, we’re seeing a repeat of that happening with actor Peter Dinklage, best known for his portrayal Tyrion Lannister on “Game of Thrones.” Dinklage, who is white, has been cast as Hervé Villechaize in the upcoming “My Dinner with Hervé.” And this is a problem because Villechaize, who was also white, looked Asian and viewers didn’t know he wasn’t:
Peter Dinklage gets accused of "yellowface" for upcoming role as Hervé Villechaize–who is white,, but looked Asian to people ?https://t.co/iMj2Z2tX2t
— Elizabeth Nolan Brown (@ENBrown) August 30, 2018
Dinklage blames Wikipedia for the confusion:
The actor traced the confusion to a claim long listed on Villechaize’s Wikipedia page, and assumptions based on his most famous roles.
“It says [Villechaize was half-Filipino] on Wikipedia. Family members can’t change information on there. My daughter’s name was ‘Zelig’ on Wikipedia for a long time. Her name is not Zelig. I don’t know who is able to put information up, but there are so many things on there that aren’t true,” he said.
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“Maybe people were thinking of The Man with the Golden Gun, which was shot in Southeast Asia, and Fantasy Island, where he’s on an island, and that, compounded with how he looked, made some think he must be from that part of the world,” said Dinklage.
Wikipedia has since corrected the page:
Villechaize was born in Paris, France to English-born Evelyn (Recchionni) and raised there by her and by his father André Villechaize. Contrary to a belief popularized by incorrect information on wikipedia.org, Villechaize was not Filipino.[2]
But, as they say, it’s too late for that:
#WhiteWashedOut
Do not watch this. Herve was Filipino.
White ppl need to stop playing roles as other races! Come on, y'all!
So glad I cut off @HBO. https://t.co/eFsKxLD0tp— OR4Now (@Or4Now) August 25, 2018
https://twitter.com/sufeh/status/1034147795161108480
https://twitter.com/atankco/status/1033978781369655296
“My Dinner with Hervé” premiers October 20 on HBO:
“I have a real story for you, junior.”
HBO Films presents #MyDinnerwithHerve, starring Peter Dinklage and Jamie Dornan, October 20. pic.twitter.com/V7xqoIKedV
— HBO (@HBO) August 24, 2018
***
Related:
Trans culture critic explains why Scarlett Johansson deserved outrage for wanting to play a trans person https://t.co/2VUmYvWq85
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) July 14, 2018
A happy ending? Scarlett Johansson exits 'Rub & Tug' film after trans man controversy https://t.co/8MLQCl8hqP
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) July 13, 2018
BOOM! Jon Lovitz SMACKS DOWN foaming SJW horde shaming Scarlett Johansson for trans role https://t.co/VnzqfXYzoC
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) July 5, 2018
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