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*After a video surfaced online of actor Kian Lawley making racially charged jokes, 20th Century Fox has decided to remove him from its upcoming Black Lives Matter-based film “The Hate U Give.”
“Hunger Games” actress Amandla Stenberg leads a cast that includes Regina Hall, Common, Issa Rae and Anthony Mackie. Based on the young adult novel by Angie Thomas, the story follows Starr (Stenberg), a young woman drawn to activism after she witnesses the police shooting of her unarmed friend. The story is inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement.
Lawley was cast as Starr’s white boyfriend…until the 22-year-old took to YouTube with a friend on Sunday and delivered a message filled with racial slurs and stereotypes.
“We’re all black, drinking f***ing purple Kool-aid and eating Kentucky fried motherf****** chicken,” he said, reclining on a bed and peppering his rant with the N-word. (Watch in the video above.)
“Due to the controversy surrounding his past comments and behavior, Kian Lawley will no longer appear in The Hate U Give. The studio plans to recast the role of Chris and reshoot scenes as needed,” a studio rep said Monday in a statement.
Lawley has since released a statement apologizing:
“Words have power and can do damage. I own mine and I am sorry. I respect Fox’s decision to recast this role for The Hate U Give as it is an important story, and it would not be appropriate for me to be involved considering the actions of my past. I understand the impact and I have grown and learned since then. From now on I plan to use my voice for positive change.”
From The Hollywood Reporter:
While the film has not yet been given a release date, filming on “Hate U Give” wrapped in November. Fox’s choice to recast Lawley so far into production parallels Sony’s decision to replace Kevin Spacey with Christopher Plummer on Ridley Scott’s “All the Money in the World” following Spacey’s multiple sexual harassment allegations.
Lawley is best known as a YouTuber, but has tried to make the transition to acting, co-starring on the Fullscreen series “H8TERS” and appearing in “AwesomenessTV” features “Before I Fall” and “Shovel Buddies.”
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