Hollywood doesn't have the best track record when it comes to racial issues. In the past, we've seen glaring instances of cultural appropriation, such as white actors cast as people of colour, and a general lack of diversity in films across the board. There's simply no excuse for whitewashing these days, nor has there ever been - so why does it keep happening? Just recently, actor Ed Skrein dropped out of Hellboy when he realised that his character was supposed to be Asian-American. Similar issues were raised earlier on in the year, too, when Ghost in the Shell (originally a Japanese animation) was remade with a white cast. Time and time again, diversity and proper representation is being overlooked, in favour of casting an already well-known white actor. The latest film to fall victim to whitewashing is Guy Ritchie's live-action remake of the Disney classic, Aladdin. As everyone who's seen the 1992 animated version will know, the film is set the fictional Arab nation of Agrabah. Understandably, there are no white people in it. So why exactly has Billy Magnussen, a blue-eyed, blonde-haired actor, been cast in the remake? Many people have used Twitter to ask the exact same thing. Some were clearly irked by the casting, arguing that the new character was only introduced to satisfy white viewers. "Disney shoehorned a white guy into the #Aladdin movie because they just gotta have a white person in a movie set in the Middle East," wrote RJ Sharp. [[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/RandallJSharp/status/905320191457980416]] Others were simply baffled by the choice: "I am so confused to why they add a new white character to a complete story that is set in the Middle East?" wrote Nardy. [[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/NardosNy/status/905296014214651905]] And their confusion is understandable. It seems to many that the only reason to throw a white man into the film would be as part of some misguided attempt to appeal to white viewers. But that's completely nonsensical, considering the original was hugely successful with only Arabic characters in the story. Producer Dan Lin had said at the beginning of the year that the remake would stay true to the original. "Luckily for me, Guy Ritchie has the same vision and Disney has the same vision, so we’re not here to make Prince of Persia," he said, referencing the casting of white actors in a film set in the Middle East. "We want to make a movie that’s authentic to that world." Evidently, Lin's definition of 'authenticity' is slightly different to everyone else's. Some may argue that having one white actor in a cast that is still mostly made up of people of colour is no big deal, but others beg to differ. This series of tweets demonstrates the imbalance in the way white people are represented in comparison to other races: [[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/ajplus/status/905472214543110144]] The importance of having diverse characters on our screens goes beyond the need to fill some sort of quota. Diversity provides better representation for kids who are looking for positive images of themselves in the media, allows different stories to be told from previously-muted perspectives, and ultimately demonstrates that white people don't have to be included in everything. Disney have yet to comment on the matter, but have announced that their casting is complete, and that production is already underway. For more occasions where Hollywood has been guilty of whitewashing, check out 10 times movie executives painted Tinseltown white.

Today, Entertainment Weekly introduced us to A Whole New World, publishing the very first pictures of the cast of Guy Ritchie’s live-action adaptation of the Disney classic, Aladdin.

The "shining, shimmering, splendid first look at the reimagined classic" gave fans chills: Prince Ali was back in action, and dare we say he was looking good.

However, while the majority of fans online seemingly had nothing but praise for Mena Massoud and Naomi Scott, who play Aladdin and Jasmine respectively, they were left a little confused by Will Smith, who plays the legendary genie. If we're talking particulars, it was mostly his beard that bewildered them.

[[imagecaption|| Credit: Entertainment Weekly]]

Soon after the cover was released, fans took to social media to share their concerns, with some stating the facial hair was "weird", others claiming it looked "store bought" or "photoshopped" and a third group which seemed more upset about his ponytail.

"CANT F**KING LOOK AT WILL SMITH’S GENIE WITHOUT LETTING OUT A LITTLE SNORT LMAO THAT BEARD AND THAT BUN (sic)," wrote Twitter user @wingardians.

Another user named @Blacknform agreed, putting: "Will Smith's makeup and hair is so homeroom arts and crafts. His beard and hair look like they were made out of discount cat yarn at the Hobby Lobby. I mean guys.... (sic)"

"I’m already cringing massively at Will Smith’s genie look wtf is that beard! (sic)" added @Krazykarenn.

[[imagecaption|| Credit: Twitter/@LexLuthorisOkay]]

[[imagecaption|| Credit: Twitter/@electricjb]]

[[imagecaption|| Credit: Twitter/@yagirlsaidthat]]

However, the beard wasn't their only concern when it came to the live-action Genie: they weren't best pleased with his costume either.

"Looks like #genie needs makeover in the new @disneyaladdin movie #yikes. Great casting in Will Smith but whoever was the creative director for his costume should be fired (sic)," commented @laurnicpri.

Another user going by the username @twpercival1 compared the outfit to a family pantomime production, tweeting: "Not sure about Will Smith as the Genie in #Aladdin looks a bit Panto... (sic)"

[[imagecaption|| Credit: Twitter/@twpercival1]]

[[imagecaption|| Credit: Twitter/@KristenPadayas]]

The issues just kept on coming, with many people taking to social media to blast the fact that the Genie wasn't blue, like Robin Williams' Genie in the animated film.

However, this worry was quickly cleared up by Smith himself. Posting a picture of the magazine cover on Wednesday, he reassured fans that he would, in fact, be blue after all.

"BAM!! First look at the Genie, Princess Jasmine, and #Aladdin! Check Me Rockin’ the Top Knot Ponytail Vibes in @entertainmentweekly (and yes, I’m gonna be BLUE! :-) )," the Hollywood A-lister wrote on Instagram.

[[imagecaption|| "Credit: Getty]]

The 50-year-old star has spoken out about his nerves after taking on the role of Genie, claiming he was initially "terrified".

Speaking to Entertainment Tonight, he said: "I was terrified doing the Genie after Robin Williams. But I found a lane that pays homage. It is my own thing, you know? So, I think people are going to love it."

He continued: "It’s one of the greatest filmmaking experiences that I have ever had. I have worked at most of the studios, and Disney just knows what they are doing. It was really a spectacular team of people that came together around a classic story. It’s so spectacular, it’s such a beautiful movie and I can’t wait for people to see it."

And we can't wait to see it, Will - weird beard or not.

One of the most anticipated cinematic releases of the year is Disney's live-action remake of the beloved 1992 classic, Aladdin. It is the latest in a slew of remakes, which, because of how popular the originals are, have been divisive, to say the least.

When people got their first glimpse of Will Smith's Genie, the majority were not impressed, with Screen Rant going as far as to describe the character as "looking bad" and being a problem that Disney "could not ignore".

However, now that the first full-length trailer has been released, opinions have gone from being totally negative to thoroughly divided: 

[[youtubewidget||https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcMtWwiyzpU&t=13s]]

Aside from Will Smith's role as Genie, the movie stars Mena Massoud as Aladdin and Naomi Scott as Princess Jasmine.

The trailer opens with a recreation of the iconic animated scene that features Aladdin running through the Agrabah marketplace with stolen goods, before being tempted into the cave of wonders by Jafar, who is played by Marwan Kenzari.

Fans also get their first look (and listen) at the 'Friend Like Me' and 'A Whole New World' numbers, which literally sent goosebumps up and down my body.

For some fans, the new trailer was enough to quell any doubts that they had about the remake:

[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/robwillb/status/1105470263364337664]]

[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/drwhofan19/status/1105484985434337283]]

[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/karDiNCiTy/status/1105470297250029570]]

[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/JoshimusPrime93/status/1105483575208628224]]

[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/NathanTinney/status/1105486060585402369]]

For others, their dismay that Disney was remaking yet another classic did not wane.

Indeed, a number of the live-action remakes, such as Beauty and the Beast, have been box office successes, but received less than flattering reviews.

[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/MicBlades/status/1105470290811912195]]

[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/devitapshd_/status/1105478918826422272]]

[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/DarlyngNikki/status/1105470289998155781]]

One particular detail of the trailer which fans took umbrage with was the fact that Aladdin was wearing a shirt:

[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/Roadisclear/status/1105474428480249856]]

[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/jakefarrington/status/1105474382615334914]]

Some fans even criticized the movie for not casting actors racially appropriate to the roles:

[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/AtlantaRoad/status/1105470249376403462]]

[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/AnneleyEve/status/1105484944606982151]]

What do you think of the remake? Has it piqued your interest or will you be giving this remake a miss?

Aladdin is set to be released in theatres across the US on May 24.

One of the latest trends coming from Disney is to remake their classic cartoons in live-action. So far they've had some major successes with the formula, whether it was the revisionist Maleficent or the almost shot-for-shot remakes with the likes of Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella and The Jungle Book - and now there are even more on the schedule, including The Lion King.

Next up we've got Aladdin on its way, with the live-action version heading to cinemas this summer. Entertainment Weekly gave us our first look at the actors suited up for their roles, including Mena Massoud as Aladdin and Naomi Scott as Princess Jasmine. However, it was Will Smith's look as the new genie that had people obsessed...

[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/DiscussingFilm/status/1075371636868726784]]

People definitely had some thoughts about his beard at the time, but we soon found out that this wouldn't quite be the final look for the character. Sharing the image onto his Instagram, Smith wrote "Check Me Rockin' the Top Knot Ponytail Vibes," adding "and yes, I'm gonna be BLUE!"

[[instagramwidget||https://www.instagram.com/p/BrkhMBcBifX/]]

Then it looked like we were back to waiting to find out exactly what his final form would look like. Many were looking forward to what the charismatic actor could bring to the role but at the same time, he'd have an uphill battle living up the iconic vocal performance given by Robin Williams in the original 1992 cartoon classic.

The 2019 Grammy Awards was stacked full of performances, tributes, and accolades, but it was also the place where a new trailer for Aladdin aired.

[[youtubewidget||https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hHECMVOq7g]]

This time, it featured the first look at Will Smith in full blue genie form. And, unlike Robin Williams' portrayal, this time the genie's face resembles that of the actor's.

As the stinger to the trailer, we got our first look at the genie after he's released from the magic lamp, and Twitter had some... thoughts.

[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/ErikDavis/status/1094777225331818496]]

While we were all surprised, not all of us were pleasantly surprised by the new look.

[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/MrJayWashington/status/1094778400235909120]]

[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/MARVELOLOGY/status/1094778929641152512]]

[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/McHenryJD/status/1094776683025059840]]

[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/hmmconcannon/status/1094776692164435969]]

[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/JhonenV/status/1094780696780890112]]

[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/mattbooshell/status/1094781226244816897]]

People started to find him pretty scary looking, which surely wasn't the intent...

[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/jpbrammer/status/1094777884760293376]]

[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/QuinnKeaney/status/1094777851738501120]]

[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/JennyENicholson/status/1094780623800000512]]

[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/misterpatches/status/1094785703832141824]]

And other's just made Arrested Development jokes.

[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/trevorstweetss/status/1094777437072904192]]

[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/mikeryan/status/1094781702965248000]]

[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/jeskeets/status/1094781715485257728]]

And, of course, the most appropriate Monsters Inc. reference.

[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/KingdomPlayer19/status/1094783097395003393]]

Whether it looks any better in the final movie, only time will tell. We'll have to wait and see when the film is released on May 24.

The film industry has been around for over 100 years now, but when it comes to whitewashing in Hollywood, studio bosses still haven't learned their lesson. Even in the 21st century, inappropriate actors and actresses are cast left, right and centre with directors admitting that they know it shouldn’t have happened, but simply stating that it’s the way it is when it comes to Tinseltown. Minority actors heralded a small victory recently when Ed Skrein abandoned his role in the upcoming Hellboy reboot, stating "It is our responsibility to make moral decisions in difficult times and to give voice to inclusivity. It is my hope that one day these discussions will become less necessary and that we can help make equal representation in the arts a reality." But still, his widely applauded actions are a rare instance and one that seems unlikely to continue to become a greater movement within the film industry. The truth is, ethnic minorities are destined to sit back and watch as Caucasian actors paint history white for some time to come.

1. Breakfast At Tiffany’s

Breakfast At Tiffany’s is a delightful movie brought by its inclusion of a toxic Japanese caricature. Brooklyn-born Mickey Rooney played Mr Yunioshi, Holly Golightly’s cantankerous Japanese upstairs neighbour, but the portrayal was problematic given that Rooney was not Japanese and put on an awful accent, as well as donning thick glasses and fake teeth for the role. The actor was said to be “heartbroken” at the modern day reassessment of the movie as “horribly racist”, but no one can deny that his casting and his acting -  described as “broadly exotic” at the time - pushes whitewashing to its absolute limits.

2. Exodus: Gods And Kings

Despite taking place in the Middle East and north Africa, white movie actors were still cast in the main roles of biblical epic Exodus: Gods and Kings. Amid public uproar, director Ridley Scott and lead actor Christian Bale spoke openly - and unapologetically -about whitewashing in Hollywood, arguing that attitudes had to change before white people stopped snatching roles. Scott himself blamed studio bosses, saying: "I can’t mount a film of this budget … and say that my lead actor is Mohammad so-and-so from such-and-such. I’m just not going to get it financed," while Bale stated "If people start supporting [north African and Middle Eastern] films more and more, then financiers in the market will follow."

3. Gods Of Egypt

You would've thought the producers and director of Gods Of Egypt would have known better than to whitewash Egyptian deities and demigods, but you would have had far too much faith in Hollywood to honestly believe this. In fact, almost all of the actors in fantasy action adventure movie were white, aside from a token appearance from black American actor Chadwick Boseman. But director Alex Proyas wasn’t susceptive to criticism, instead choosing to call reviewers “a pack of diseased vultures pecking at the bones of a dying carcass”, as well as “deranged idiots” in response.

4. The Conqueror

No one needed to see cowboy archetype John Wayne starring as a Mongol warlord, but that’s not to say it didn’t happen in 1956 film The Conqueror. With the help of an abnormal amount of make-up, the all American star stepped up to portray the future leader and looked completely and utterly ridiculous doing so. Nevertheless, karma appears to have bitten back in this case; the film was a massive flop, with some critics naming it as “the worst film in history”.

5. A Mighty Heart

It’s a shame that the film that is generally regarded as Angelina Jolie’s greatest is also regarded as yet another truly awful instance of whitewashing in Hollywood. Despite coming from a Caucasian background, Jolie was cast as Mariane Pearl, an Afro-Cuban French journalist, the wife of an American journalist who was kidnapped and murdered in Pakistan. The initial casting was bad enough, but Jolie’s performance in the film was also heavily criticised as she used a “challenging accent” and wore an afro hairstyle.

6. Othello

While it’s true that back in the day “blackface” was perfectly acceptable, nowadays people admit that the act of using theatrical make-up to make white actors black is pretty disgraceful. But it didn’t stop it from happening in the 1965 version of Othello when Sir Laurence Olivier played the Moor. However, at least this blackface in particular had critics discussing whitewashing afterwards for one of the first times. Apparently during a rendition at London’s Old Vic in 1964, some of Olivier’s make-up rubbed off when touching Desdemona and people began questioning whether a white man should ever play the role again.

7. Aloha

Initially Aloha seemed like the perfect film, namely because it was set in ideal Hawaii and featured an all-star cast including Emma Stone and Bradley Cooper. But the movie was thrown into disrepute when it was pointed out that the island state has a 70% non-white population, yet the movie actors were all Caucasian. To make things even worse, Stone’s character was even described as being ‘half-Chinese and half-native Hawaiian’.

8. Argo

Ben Affleck’s Argo shows that even Oscar-winning hits can make big mistakes when it comes to whitewashing. Affleck turned heads when he starred as the CIA operative who masterminded the escape of six US embassy employees from Tehran during the 1979 hostage crisis, but critics where quick to point out that the character’s name was Tony Mendez and speculated that a Latino should have played him. However, in an interview, the real life Tony Mendez stated that he didn’t consider himself Hispanic, and had no reservations about Affleck portraying him, instead insisting that the issue was how society regularly discriminated against Latinos.

9. Doctor Strange

When Tilda Swinton clinched the role of the Ancient One in Marvel’s Doctor Strange, she claimed she had grown up reading the comics and was incredibly familiar with the characters. The problem with her nostalgic declaration? In the comics, the character is Asian, so should the acclaimed actress really have taken the role with this knowledge in hand? In the film’s defence, writer Robert Cargill claimed that the filmmakers felt they couldn’t cast the role as it was seen in the comic, as it was a “racist stereotype who comes from a region of the world that is in a very weird political place”. But, was this strong enough justification for whitewashing?

 10. The Great Wall

When accused of Hollywood whitewashing with his role in The Great Wall, Matt Damon bit back claiming that the role of William Garin was meant to be white; he stated “The whole idea of whitewashing, I take that very seriously ... it’s a monster movie and it’s a historical fantasy and I didn’t take a role away from a Chinese actor. It wasn’t altered because of me in any way.” However, this didn’t stop critics from tearing apart the film still, claiming that, even if it didn’t whitewash, it was guilty of having a heroic white man swoop in to save other races.

These 10 examples just go to show that no matter what excuses movie bosses come up with, they should never be let off the hook for whitewashing in Hollywood. The key to equality is not erasure, but inclusion and we hope to see ethnic minorities in their rightful roles soon.