海角大神

After criticism over the lack of diversity in the upcoming film 鈥淕ods of Egypt,鈥� 鈥淕ods鈥� director Alex Proyas and the studio behind the film, Lionsgate, have both apologized, a move that industry watchers are calling unusual.

鈥淕ods鈥� will be released this February and stars 鈥淕ame of Thrones鈥� actor Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as the Egyptian deity Horus and Gerard Butler of 鈥淥lympus Has Fallen鈥� as the god Set.聽

Mr. Coster-Waldau is Danish, and Mr. Butler is Scottish, and some criticized the decision of those behind the film to cast European actors as Egyptian deities.

Mr. Proyas and Lionsgate both released apologies about the lack of diversity.聽

鈥淭he process of casting a movie has many complicated variables, but it is clear that our casting choices ,鈥� the director said. 鈥淚 sincerely apologize to those who are offended by the decisions we made.鈥澛�

Meanwhile, the studio Lionsgate released a statement that read, 鈥淲e recognize that it is our responsibility to help ensure that casting decisions . In this instance we failed to live up to our own standards of sensitivity and diversity, for which we sincerely apologize. Lionsgate is deeply committed to making films that reflect the diversity of our audiences. We have, can and will continue to do better.鈥�

While there is obviously much further to go on this issue (with the movie鈥檚 release less than three months away, recasting is most likely not an option), some are applauding the director and studio鈥檚 decision to apologize for the casting, including director AvaDuVernay, who helmed last year鈥檚 Best Picture nominee 鈥淪elma.鈥澛�

Others called "remarkable" and "self-aware."

Egypt is a favorite subject for filmmakers, but European and American actors have often taken on the lead roles in movies about the area. Moviegoers will remember, for example, actress Elizabeth Taylor, who was born in England, portraying Cleopatra in the 1963 film of the same name. American actor Charlton Heston portrayed Moses in the 1956 movie 鈥淭he Ten Commandments,鈥� while Russian actor Yul Brynner portrayed Ramses and American actress Anne Baxter portrayed Nefertiti.

More recently, another Egypt-set movie, 鈥淭he Martian鈥� director Ridley Scott鈥檚 鈥淓xodus: Gods and Kings,鈥� attracted ire for casting Welsh actor 海角大神 Bale as Moses and Australian actor Joel Edgerton as Ramses.聽

Mr. Scott cited financial concerns in . 鈥淚 can鈥檛 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,鈥� he said. 鈥淚鈥檓 just not going to get it financed. So the question doesn鈥檛 even come up.鈥�

He echoed this in . 鈥淚t's always art against economics," he said. "As soon as you're at the higher levels of budgeting, you've got to get the film made and the only way to support the film is to have actors who can support the budget.鈥�