Will Smith is reportedly in talks to play tennis champion Serena Williams’ father, Richard Williams, in a biopic titled King Richard. Black Twitter is outraged at the rumored casting. You’ll never guess why.
The rumored casting pf Will as Serena’s dad sparked backlash on social media because of Will’s honey hue skin tone.
While both Will and Richard are Black, social media critics say the role should go to an actor with a darker skin tone.
Black Twitter has suggested actors who they believe are better suited for the role, including mocha chocolate celebrities Idris Elba and Mahershala Ali.
“Colorism matters,” tweeted sports writer Clarence Hill Jr. “love [Will] Smith but there are other black actors for this role.”
“Will Smith is about to be the Scarlett Johannsson of black movies,” wrote another Twitter user, referring to the backlash Johannsson received for her role as a transgender person.
But just as there are critics who disagree with the rumored casting, there are more level headed people on social media who see no problem with Will in the role of the 77-year-old tennis dad.
One user tweeted: “This is really pathetic and sad. He is an awesome actor and will play hell out of it. Doesn’t matter his skin color. It’s the talent!!”
Another Twitter user compared Black actor Denzel Washington to the late biracial activist Malcolm X, whom Denzel played in a Spike Lee joint.
“So let me understand that a black man can only play a black man now if he is the right shade of black. So that case Denzel Washington should never have played Malcom x. We as black people only brings ourselves down.”
Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images
