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Filmmaker Ridley Scott is known for his opulent commercial films that usually tackle larger-than-life subjects. While most of Scott’s films have been critical or commercial hits, some of them have been absolute duds, including the 2014 biblical epicExodus: Gods and Kings,based on the story of Prophet Moses from the Bible. However, the film was criticized for its casting choices.
After the film’s all-white cast was announced, Scott faced heavy backlash and accusations of white-washing. Scott defended his decision to cast Caucasian actors in the movie over staying true to the ethnic roots of the biblical figures. However, Scott’s explanation was bewildering and rather bizarre. Here is how Ridley Scott defendedExodus: Gods and Kings’ casting choices.
Ridley Scott defended the whitewashing ofExodus: Gods and Kings
Directed byRidley Scott,Exodus: Gods and Kingsis loosely based on the Biblical events surrounding Prophet Moses. In the film,Christian Baleplayed Moses with white actors such as Joel Edgerton, John Turturro, Aaron Paul, and others cast in roles of primarily Hebrew and Egyptian descent.
During an interview withVariety, Scott was asked about his casting choices, preferring Caucasian actors over more ethnically accurate choices. However, Scott defended his decision, citing the challenge of mounting a film with a massive budget on relatively unknown actors.
I can’t mount a film of this budget, where I have to rely on tax rebates in Spain, and say that my lead actor is Mohammad so-and-so from such-and-such. I’m just not going to get it financed. So the question doesn’t even come up.
Scott made the above statement, explaining that it was difficult to find actors who were of the right ethnic background and would be able to justify the film’s high cost of production.
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However,theBlade Runnerdirector’sstatement came off as offensive to many (viaMedium) with the director implying that he had no other choice but to go ahead with an all-white cast for monetary reasons. Even if Scott’s comments were to be taken at face value, it is hard to argue that the film wasn’t an instance of white-washing, underlining the double standards of Hollywood casting.
Ridley Scott bashing another religious movie makesExodus: Gods and Kingsflopping even worse
Exodus: Gods and Kingswas reportedly made on a budget of $140 million and emerged as a box-office disaster, grossing only $268.2 million across the globe (viaBox Office Mojo). Hence, if Scott strongly felt that the movie couldn’t work without an all-white cast, he perhaps shouldn’t tackle the subject in the first place.
To make matters worse, when promoting the movie, Scott dissed on another then-recent Biblical filmNoah, starringScott’sGladiatorcollaborator Russell Crowein the lead role. However, Scott was critical of that movie, tellingDecent Filmsthe following:
It’s hard enough [to say], ‘I’m going to build a boat, and on it is going to go creatures two by two’ and make that credible.
Scott made the above statement, expressing disappointment with the film’s more fantasy-driven approach.
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Instead, Scott stated that he approachedExoduswith a more grounded realims. However, Noah was received much better critically, holding a75% score on Rotten Tomatoes. In comparison,Exodusreceived poor reviews and holds a 30% score on thewebsite, further proving why Scott’s Biblical epic was a total disaster.
Exodus: Gods and Kingscan be rented on Amazon Prime Video.
Pratik Handore
Content Writer
Articles Published :1772
With a keen interest in comic book movies and blockbuster franchises, Pratik usually covers news and updates on the DCU, MCU, Star Wars, and more.A die-hard fan of George Lucas and Steven Spielberg, Pratik spends most of his time exploring different storytelling mediums that invoke a sense of wonder and adventure. Other filmmakers whose works have deeply influenced him include Alfred Hitchcock, James Gunn, and Guillermo del Toro.
