News: Ed Skrein Exits Hellboy Due To Whitewashing Controversy

 
 
 
Ed Skrein (Deadpool, The Transporter Refueled) announced that he is dropping out of Hellboy due to public outrage over whitewashing controversy. He was set to play Major Ben Daimio, an Asian character who is a military member of the B.P.R.D who can transform into a jaguar when angered or in pain. He released a statement on his social media accounts explaining why he is leaving the project.
 
A post shared by Ed Skrein (@edskrein) on
 
 
Lionsgate said in a statement that:

"Ed came to us and felt very strongly about this. We fully support his unselfish decision. It was not our intent to be insensitive to issues of authenticity and ethnicity, and we will look to recast the part with an actor more consistent with the character in the source material."

The film is still expected to begin shooting in October. Neil Marshall (The Descent, Dog Soldiers) is set to directing, with David Harbour (Stranger Things) replacing Ron Perlman as Hellboy. They will be joined by Ian McShane (Deadwood) as Professor Bloom, and Milla Jovovich (Resident Evil) as the main villain the Blood Queen. Aron Coleite is currently working on a draft of the script that was written by Andrew Cosby, Christopher Golden, and Mike Mignola. Larry Gordon, Lloyd Levin, and Mike Richardson are serving as producers. Millenium Films and Lionsgate are producing the film, with Christa Campbell, Lati Grobman, and Carl Hampe serving as executive producers.