Ava DuVernay Reacts to ‘Gods of Egypt’ Director’s Casting Apology

“Selma” director calls mea culpa an “unusual occurrence worth noting”

ava duvernay
Getty Images

“Selma” director Ava DuVernay has waded into the controversy over the upcoming film “Gods of Egypt,” after director Alex Proyas and studio Lionsgate issued apologies for the casting.

DuVernay took to Twitter on Saturday to call the apology an “unusual occurrence worth noting.”

“This kind of apology never happens — for something that happens all the time. An unusual occurrence worth noting,” DuVernay wrote.

She also tweeted, “GODS OF EGYPT makes me value Abrams’ STAR WARS choices more. Makes me cheer more for Coogler’s CREED. We all deserve icons in our own image.”

“Gods of Egypt” came under fire after placing white actors like Gerard Butler, Brenton Thwaites and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau in the roles of gods and mortals who set off on an adventure in ancient Egypt.

The resulting outcry prompted apologies from Proyas and Lionsgate, with the director noting in a statement: “I sincerely apologize to those who are offended by the decisions we made.”

Lionsgate, meanwhile, issued its own apology, stating: “We recognize that it is our responsibility to help ensure that casting decisions reflect the diversity and culture of the time periods portrayed. 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.​​”

Comments