Breakout star Regé-Jean Page is speaking out after reportedly losing a role due to his skin color.
What We Know:
- Last Tuesday, The Hollywood Reporter announced that Page had auditioned for the role of Superman’s grandfather in an upcoming Syfy series called Krypton. The source alleges that Geoff Johns, Cochairman of DC Films, decided not to cast Page for the part stating that Superman “could not have a Black grandfather”.
- A representative for Johns released a statement to People Magazine calling the allegation “an oversimplification”. The role of Superman’s grandfather came after the release of the Justice League movies. The decision to cast a white actor was an attempt to resemble Henry Cavill and his father which was played by Russell Crowe in the film.
“The actor being cast as such was supposed to resemble either actor. This is being twisted to be something that it is not and someone throwing a name out there to get headlines,” the statement read.
- The Bridgerton actor addressed the controversy on Wednesday via Twitter writing, “Hearing about these conversations hurts no less now than it did back then. The clarifications almost hurt more tbh. Still just doing my thing. Still we do the work. We still fly.”
https://twitter.com/regejean/status/1379852635143090179
- The announcement comes after a number of actors have accused higher-ups of DC films of racism. The allegations started back in June of 2020 when 33-year-old actor Ray Fisher, who played Cyborg in Justice League, accused director Joss Whedon of “gross, abusive, unprofessional, and completely unacceptable” behavior.
Despite not landing the role, Regé-Jean Page has gone on to win an NAACP Image Award this year for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series, and two SAG Award nominations for his portrayal of Simon Basset in Bridgerton.
