Hellboy Creator Mike Mignola Reacts To Ed Skrein’s Exit After Whitewashing Controversy

Last week, Deadpool baddie Ed Skrein was cast in Neil Marshall's Hellboy reboot, slated to play the role of Major Ben Diamio, a "rugged military member of the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense who, due to a supernatural encounter, can turn into a jaguar when angered or in pain."

However, while Skrein would fit as a military man, Daimio is known for his Japanese American heritage and the Deadpool actor's casting in Hellboy quickly drew a lot of criticism. After controversy drew round, Skrein decided to step down from the role, later clarifying his decision on social media, saying that "it is clear that representing this character in a culturally accurate way holds significance for people, and that to neglect this responsibility would continue a worrying tendency to obscure ethnic minority stories and voices in the Arts."

Taking to Twitter, Hellboy creator Mike Mignola decided to support the actor's decision, giving him a short but thoughtful response. David Harbor who's taking on the role of the unwilling Harbinger of the Apocalypse has also issued his support, thanking Skrein for "doing what is right."

Whitewashing has been a major concern in Hollywood, and with audiences taking on a more progressive stances towards social issues, it's noble to see Skrein stepping down to respect the ethnicity of the character he was supposed to play. Hopefully the Hellboy production learns from this experience and casts a more appropriate actor for the part.

The Hellboy reboot hits cinemas sometime 2018.

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