The online trolls are at it again, and this time the target of their keyboard-pounding rage is Nigerian-British actor Chukwudi Iwuji, who has been cast as High Evolutionary in the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy sequel.
Director James Gunn announced the casting on Instagram, posting an image of the actor in character with the caption “Can’t wait for you all to meet this guy.”
Sounds pretty benign and normal to us, and many fans expressed their excitement over Iwuji’s role in the upcoming film. But not the homophobic and racist trolls, who immediately took to their computers to complain about the casting choice, calling it... wait for it... “woke.”
“Sad and pathetic. They’re picking based on race and what’s PC [politically correct] and not on acting, on what’s established,” wrote one commenter.
“Another white guy they made into a Black guy. Why couldn’t they just leave him white or pick a different minority? How about Asian or, gasp, Latino? (how many Latinos and Asians in MCU [Marvel Cinematic Universe]? Like total of 5?),” wrote another. And because being a racist troll isn’t enough, homophobia had to show up as well. “Or make him an Indian or something. Because they don’t and won’t, that makes them ‘woke’. Next time, a major character (hero/villain) will be a trans or homosexual or non-binary (when in comics they are not).”
Sigh.
I’m tired, you’re tired, and Gunn is definitely tired — and he spoke up. “I chose the best actor, period, and the best person for the role,” wrote the director. “I don’t give a s**t what ethnicity Chukwudi Iwuji is, so stop with your racist presumptions on why he was chosen.”
Periodt.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 premieres in theaters on 5 May. Watch the trailer below.
