Acclaimed screenwriter and director Aaron Sorkin has spoken out against criticism of some of the casting in his latest movie.
Sorkin is best known as the writer of TV’s The West Wing and movies such as Steve Jobs and The Social Network. He directed the movies Molly’s Game and The Trial of the Chicago 7. His latest movie as writer and director is Being the Ricardos, which looks at the life of Lucille Ball.
In the movie, Ball is played by Nicole Kidman while husband Desi Arnaz is played by Javier Bardem. There has been some criticism of casting Spanish actor Bardem as the Cuban-born Arnaz.
Related: WATCH: This Oscar winner is unrecognizable as comedy legend Lucille Ball
In an interview with the Sunday Times in the UK yesterday, Sorkin said he found the criticism a “little chilling.”
“This should be the last place there are walls. Spanish and Cuban are not actable. If I was directing you in a scene and said: ‘It’s cold, you can’t feel your face.’ That’s actable. But if I said: ‘Be Cuban’. That is not actable,” he said.
He then went on to comment about casting straight actors in LGBTQ roles.
“Nouns aren’t actable. Gay and straight aren’t actable. You can act being attracted to someone, but can’t act gay or straight,” he said.
“So this notion that only gay actors should play gay characters? That only a Cuban actor should play Desi? Honestly, I think it’s the mother of all empty gestures and a bad idea.”
Sorkin’s comments follow an interview Bardem gave to the Hollywood Reporter. In it, the actor also dismissed criticism of him taking the role of Arnaz: “’I’m an actor, and that’s what I do for a living: try to be people that I’m not.”
Sorkin also gave an interview last month to the Hollywood Reporter in which he defended the casting of Bardem, saying he’d worked with a “Latina casting consultant”.
“We know when we’re being demeaning,” said Sorkin. “We know that Black face is demeaning because of its historical context because you’re making ridiculous cartoon caricatures out of people.
“We know that Mickey Rooney with the silly piece in ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ and that makeup doing, silly Japanese speak, we know that’s demeaning. This is not, I felt. Having an actor who was born in Spain playing a character who was born in Cuba was not demeaning. And it wasn’t just the casting consultant who agreed, Lucy and Desi’s Cuban-American daughter didn’t have a problem with it. So, I’m very comfortable with it.”
The issue of whether it’s best to cast gay actors in gay roles has become a hot topic in the last couple of years. British screenwriter Russell T Davies was proud of casting queer talent for all the gay roles in his TV drama, It’s A Sin. He told AnotherMag earlier this year, “My take is to cast gay as gay. Absolutely. I believe that profoundly. I think you not only get authenticity; you get revenge for 100 years of straight-washing.
“And I’ll tell you what, no, I don’t mind a gay actor playing straight. Because from the age of eight, gay people learn to fit in with the straight world and act straight. That’s something we know very profoundly in our hearts.
“So if you want a great performance, cast a gay actor as a straight man because he’s been studying how straight men behave for an awful long time.”
Related: Benedict Cumberbatch discusses straight actors playing gay roles
Many gay actors have different opinions on the issue. Neil Patrick Harris, who appeared in It’s A Sin, told the Times in January he believed in giving roles to the “best actor” for the job.
“I’m not one to jump on to labeling. As an actor you certainly hope you can be a visible option for all kinds of different roles … I played a character [in How I Met Your Mother] for nine years who was nothing like me. I would definitely want to hire the best actor.”
Being The Ricardos had a limited theatrical release a couple of weeks ago and comes to Prime Video on December 21.
BLAKENOW
He’s right, I don’t know who started this bullshit movement of gay actors think they should on be in allowed to be in gay roles,
I don’t think they have actually read the equal opportunity act, and how the industry is also protected by Unions.
Theses actors who are on this stupid bandwagon, have also completely forgotten what the definition of profession of Acting means , it’s about you portraying a character that is not yourself. If you want to be yourself go get a job on reality TV.
This discussion is ridiculous.
Cam
I see you ditched the @Hank31 screename to come on this thread and shriek about some of the Hollywood bigotry being punctured.
Selverd
@Cam its almost amusing how you always accuse everyone here with a different opinion from you of being the same person, like someone would really register a hundred different accounts for a site like queerty
Laughing Reader
I also agree! I don’t have to buy a product (movie ticket) if I don’t want to! If I am really emotional and upset because the cloth used in the costumes isn’t eco-friendly, and the cars in the movie aren’t hybrids, and I can’t stop crying because an actor has said something counter to my own opinions, then I don’t have to give energy and mental focus to that product.
Cam
@Selverd
Yeah, because the same troll trying to steal my screename or get exposed using multiple screenames didn’t happen.
But thanks for burning this new screename by coming in to follow up one of your own posts.
Your troll game, under all your screenames is sad and weak.
Selverd
@Cam lol a quick google would have shown you I’ve been posting here for years, but thanks for proving my point.
Where/how exactly was that troll with the multiple usernames exposed? Do you have actual receipts for that, or is this like the time you said Disney forced Joshua Rush to stay in the closet or how Meghan McCain was funding her husband’s website?
I don’t doubt there are trolls on this site but that doesn’t mean every single poster you disagree with is the same exact person.
Cam
Translation: Guy who is part of an industry that refused to hire openly LGBTQ actors for decades now screams because the one or two LGBTQ parts available every few years might not go to straight people.
Let me guess, next Sorkin will explain to us why Scarlett Johanson should play Rosa Parks, or Chris Pratt should play Freida Kahlo.
This wouldn’t be an issue if Hollywood hadn’t screened out LGBTQ and minority actors since it’s inception. They tantruming you see over this slight correction shows you how deeply embedded the bigotry is.
Bosch
I am worried that if this is how we shape the issue, that gay actors will ONLY get gay parts.
Rugby8
You are completely ridiculous. You are talking about Revenge Casting. “You didn’t cast enough gay people, so now we want revenge ”
That’s a 13 year old’s logic. Do you stamp your feet and scream “it’s not fair” also?
BLAKENOW
ummm dude , sorry if I struck a chord with you because I speak the truth, I have no idea who @Hank31 is, I don’t have any other names I reply with, I suggest you put down the pipe and take a break for a while, you sound nuts.
Cam
@Rugby8
Just the opposite. Hollywood’s argument is that anybody should be cast, then they say, well we can’t cast any LGBTQ actors because we need a big name. All the while knowing that there aren’t many LGBTQ big names because they have refused to hire and allow any LGBTQ actors to BECOME big names.
So again, the fact that there is so much outrage that the 1 or 2 decent Queer roles that come out every few years MIGHT not go to straight people shows just how deep the bigotry runs.
Donston
He really should have left “gay” out of his argument. He included it to bolster his supposed point. But it was an idiotic and, yes, empty comparison. While I don’t think there’s anything wrong with wanting to see an actual Puerto Rican play a Puerto Rican icon.
People do need to realize that Hollywood is about the bottom line above all else. And Bardem is far more recognizable in the states than any Peurto Rican actor. While many of these movies don’t get made or don’t get any real push without name actors being cast.
However, once again, the people who love to solely push “the best actor for the part should get the role” completely overlook the nuances of these issues. Most “queers” couldn’t care less about non queers getting queer roles. And we should all know by now that almost half of these actors are likely within the queer spectrum, no matter how they publicly present. While no matter someone’s public identity, you really don’t know the dimensions of anyone’s sexuality, preferences, lifestyle, where they are in the gender, sexual, affection, romantic, emotion, commitment spectrum. Basing casting mostly on identities is a slippery slope and is never gonna be a thing. The real issue is more about the industry’s glass ceilings and limited opportunities. While the fact that almost all high-profile and awards bait-y queer roles go to “straight presenting” actors is no mistake. Just like absolutely no high-profile “straight” film roles going to any unabashedly “gay” male actors isn’t an accident. Those are the points of contention and the double standards. But of course, none of them really want to confront that stuff.
Everyone loves to make this convo basic, and it’s not basic. While we all know casting is not mostly about who’s the best for the part. That’s never been how this industry has worked. People stay on that phony shit to justify everything. Just say you don’t give a shit and keep it pushing.
Rugby8
You are completely ridiculous. You are talking about Revenge Casting. “You didn’t cast enough Cuban people, so now we want revenge ”
That’s a 13 year old’s logic. Do you stamp your feet and scream “it’s not fair” also?
Is Bardem bad in the role? If not….shhhhh.
What about Nicole? She’s Australian…thats not a problem for you?
It’s childish, nit-picky, completely devoid of logic
Grow up
Jaquelope
@Rugby8: I thought Cam made a lot of sense. What Mr. Sorkin, on the other hand, made little sense.
It really shouldn’t matter the Nationality of a person to play someone of a different Nationality or anything else if they can effectively play that person.
While there is much more to the casting process than just being a capable actor/actress, that needs to be changed to it being the role goes to the one who can play it best. Otherwise, we’ll have someone with the height of say, Clint Eastwood playing Napoleon.
Kangol2
Small note: Desi Arnaz was CUBAN. Not Puerto Rican. That said, your point is otherwise taken. I think some of the rigidity around identity and casting can be problematic, particularly when it comes to certain roles, but, if there were better Cuban-American or Latinx actors to play Arnaz’s role, they should have been given full consideration. Arnaz was a White Cuban and Javier Barden is an excellent White Spanish actor, but a key question would and should be, can he muster a Cuban accent, which is quite different from all of the accents used in Spain, and does Aaron Sorkin, a White American writer, director and producer, know or even care?
Apparently some Gen Z Cuban Americans do care about this issue around representation, especially given the rarity of on-screen depictions of Cuban Americans and Latinxs in general. The larger problem is that because of structural and systemic racism, numerous talented Latinx actors have long been passed over for roles like this. One could also make the point, despite the differences between race and sexual orientation in US historical terms, that given the longstanding homophobia and transphobia in Hollywood, the same has occurred with out gay and trans actors, until fairly recently.
Donston
Yes, Cuban. It’s been quite a few years since I’ve checked out I Love Lucy. And I’m not that familiar with Desi.
I really don’t know what either Rugby8 or Jaquelope has to do with my post. Because nothing I wrote has anything to do with “revenge casting”, whatever the hell that’s even supposed to mean. Nor am I Cam. So, I’m just gonna ignore them.
Having now seen Being The Ricardos, Bardem was certainly a poor choice. Not only was the accent off and he looked nothing like Desi despite the makeup and styling attempts, but he also had none of Desi’s charm or comedic timing. Nicole was pretty solid though. The movie in general was meh.
As I already said, Hollywood is about networking, money and image. And there are biases and glass ceilings galore. Casting is not mostly driven by “who’s best for the role”, and it’s never been. Anyone who claims that it is is just paying lip service, which once again, is another thing this industry is all about. Hollywood is gonna keep being Hollywood. And I don’t really give a shit. What I find offensive is that these directors, producers, actors keep talking to us like we’re dumb and don’t know shit about the industry and the processes.
Cam
I also think they overestimate people being loyal to a particular actor. People who are fans of, or interested in Lucille Ball are going to tune in to the movie. I don’t know a lot of people that seek out a “Nichole Kidman” movie regardless of the subject.
Bosch
Discriminating against actors because of their sexual orientation is wrong, no matter which orientation we’re talking about. Why would we do that; to be more like the homophobes?
I think this is actually a manifestation of the frustration openly gay actors feel with the fact that the majority of actors in Hollywood are dishonest about their sexuality.
GlobeTrotter
This identity politics is really getting out of hand. I thought the whole point of all of these movements these past decades was to get beyond identity and treat everyone equally, regardless of sex, color, creed, nationality or sexuality.
First of all, the best actor should be chosen for a role, period! Secondly, it’s the job of an actor to portray a character as written – that’s what they’re trained to do, to bring an illusion to life. If the script calls for a gay character, then it’s the actor’s job to portray a gay character. If the script calls for a schizophrenic, nymphomaniac, racist, straight character, then it’s the job of the actor to portray a schizophrenic, nymphomaniac, racist, straight character. The actor’s own views, sexuality, lifestyle, etc. plays absolutely no role – it’s his/her job to breathe life into the character he/she has to play.
Life could be so simple if we just got rid of all the identity politics!
Ronbo
THIS!
Rugby8
Yes!!!
Thank you!!!
Mack
Yes. It’s CALLED ACTING. If you’re gay and playing a “gay part” you’re not acting you’re being yourself.
BLAKENOW
Amen , I couldn’t have said it better myself,
Cam
The fact that at least two of the right wing troll account’s screenames enthusiastically endorsed your comment should worry you.
And again, the sheer PANIC that the one or two Queer roles per year might not go to straight actors is very very telling.
mastik8
So, using Sorkin’s logic the casting of Hamilton made perfect sense but using the logic of Davies it was miscast?
Paris in Santiago
I have no shame in admitting I am dumb on this issue. The comments section provides worthy thoughts on the subject along with words from Sorkin, etc.
I wish there was an answer to this puzzle.
Fahd
As I understand it, the controversy is that for many in the know (the Hispanic/Latino community), Bardem flounders in the role of Desi Arnaz because his accent is not remotely Cuban and he can’t do the voice or physicality of Arnaz at all like Desi, BUT since the “white men in charge” can not tell the difference anyway, it’s supposed to be all right and not matter. And Bardem has the star power.
I think gay men often have analogous reactions when straight men play gay men — for example, some people did not like Ewan McGregor as Halston – so I get the controversy.
But, how many Cuban American actors are there that have Javier Bardem’s box office draw or openly gay actors who have Ewan McGregor’s draw and fit the parts?
Maybe over time, if given the chance, openly gay actors will become big enough draws to carry productions with key gay roles, Meanwhile, I would get better technical advisors.
Cam
“Javier Bardem’s box office draw”
People are going to watch this because they’re interested in Lucille Ball or the Ricardos. I seriously doubt he is going to draw in millions of dollars from people not interested in that topic.
I think this is more of an example where Hollywood has it’s one or two actors of any particular group that they know and just keep recasting them. This would be why they cast a Chinese actress to play the main role in Memoirs of a Geisha. They had an “Asian” actor they knew and didn’t care that she was actually from a completely different part of that continent. They need someone Latino? Well hey, let’s call Javier Bardem instead of casting someone who can get the accent and references right.
Still, it’s slightly better than it used to be where they just cast white actors and put dark makeup on them like they did in the original West Side Story.
TomG
I agree, it’s called “acting” for a reason and actor should be able to play all types of roles when called upon to do so.
Rugby8
A smart comment! Thanks!!!
Man About Town
On the basis of this absurd criticism, how come nobody’s complaining about an Australian actress playing Lucille Ball?
Rugby8
Bingo!
Truly!!!
Cam
Actually there was so much backlash against Kidman that she almost backed out.
Openminded
Nouns aren’t actable. Gay and straight aren’t actable. You can act being attracted to someone, but can’t act gay or straight,” he said.
“So this notion that only gay actors should play gay characters? That only a Cuban actor should play Desi? Honestly, I think it’s the mother of all empty gestures and a bad idea.”
Am I the only one that hears him contradict himself with the above statement?
Jaquelope
I thought the very same thing, so you are not alone. What Mr. Sorkin said made absolutely no sense to me.
Cam
This is now the 4th one of your screenames that has come in here to state something similar.
The fact that the right wing troll is so panicked by the idea that Queer actors might get some roles is very telling.
QJ201
Got news for you.
There is a 10 year old being taunted and bullied right now for “acting gay”
johnnymcmxxx
It’s Acting so it should be the best actor for the part gets the part w/ no forced casting & no bigotry involved either.
AxelDC
Sorkin: We cannot cast gay actors for gay roles because they are not famous.
Also Sorkin: We cannot cast gay actors for straight roles to make them famous.
Al
In 1969 Stanley Donen directed a film called Staircase. It’s horrible. It’s about two ageing gay men living together. Roger Ebert summed it up. “He exploits the improbable team of Rex Harrison and Richard Burton as a sideshow attraction. We’re not asked to watch a movie about homosexuals, but a movie about Harrison and Burton playing homosexuals. They play them with embarrassing clumsiness.”
that’s the kind of misrepresentation that has led to the “lived experience” movement in performing and writing; You can only deal with things you have direct experience of, otherwise there’s only cliche and stereotype.
It needs to be put in that historical context. And there has been terrible prejudice against LGBT etc actors playing leads in Hollywood. That’s also a context that needs to be remembered. The goal should be “who’s the best for the role?” Not just a work opportunity. And sometimes say, a straight actor is best casting for a gay role, for all sorts of reasons. Or someone from one ethnic background not exactly that of the character. Just no funny accents from Anglo Celts. There has to be room for imagination, not just constant literal casting. The best actors are chameleons.
Here in Oz we had a TV show in the early 70s called Boney (yep) about an aboriginal tracker. He was played by an English actor in blackface. Again, horrible. A line that can’t be crossed. And won’t be ever again. Anyone old enough to remember Bill Dana playing Jose Jimenez? Horrible. Manuel in the much loved Fawlty Towers series was British. Wouldn’t happen now. I don’t think attacking Bardem (or Darren Criss in another article) for playing the roles they’ve taken is intelligent, but that doesn’t mean there shouldn’t be discussion about it. It’s the ongoing discussion that brings change, not twitter assassination. the more violent the outrage the less chance for change. It just gets everyone’s backs up and we’re all stuck in our corners. Just out of interest, what’s the US position on non Jewish actors paying Jewish characters?
dhmonarch89
OK- the point is Hollywood refuses to cast openly gay actors in straight roles 99 times out of 100… until we get a reason to come out and have job opportunities (we only get about 1 in 5 gay roles), we need to insist that if we can’t play str8- str8 actors shouldn’t play gay. Frankly- it’s time to sue. Anti- gay employment discrimination has been a crime in California and New York for over 20 years and nationally, the Supreme Court overturned anti- gay discrimination laws in employment back in 2019- so, it’s illegal across the country.
Openminded
Using your logic, we would only hire convicted murderers to play the killer in horror movies. I totally support and agree that gays should be given equal chance at any part but no matter how many laws are written, you can’t really legislate bigotry. Ideally, everyone in casting positions would be fair but only a fool believes that it possible right now. I believe there needs to be a continued push to simply hire gay guys if they fit the part and show Hollywood that America really doesn’t care about the actor’s sexuality as long as he plays the part well. On the flip side, who knows, there may actually be more gay actors working right now than straight actors if we only knew everyone who was actually still in the closet. If that were the case, it’s sad that they don’t come out to prove to everyone that being gay doesn’t necessarily mean you are any better nor any worse an actor.
Cam
@Openminded
Sweetie, this screename has already been exposed ages ago as another one of the same old right wing troll’s names that routinely defends anti-LGBTQ bigots and attacks LGBTQ victims of bigotry.
So go troll somewhere else Boris.
Aaron
@Openminded: Yikes, what an outrageous analogy lol
Aaron
Queer characters are pretty much all that queer actors have a viable shot at because heteronormative characters are DEFINITELY not offered to them.
Aaron
Openly queer actors have been systemically shut out of the lime light since the birth of Hollywood so it’s going to be a while until queer actors make their way up the ranks to land more A-list roles. In the meantime I do think it’s healthy to give women, racial minorities, and queers more opportunities in front and behind the camera.