Autopsy: Trayvon Martin Died Of Single Gunshot Fired From…
Census: Minorities Now Surpass Whites In US Births
These are not my words. This story was put out a couple of days ago, but I'm just getting to it now. The article was brought to my attention from an Australian website,livenews.au
Acclaimed Australian director Rowan Woods had to fight to keep Oscar winner Forest Whitaker in his new film 'Winged Creatures' after a film company executive dismissed the actor as "ugly, black and unbankable."
Despite having "the hottest ensemble cast in town," including Guy Pearce, Kate Beckinsale, Dakota Fanning, Jeanne Tripplehorn and Jennifer Hudson, Woods said the company who owned the script wouldn't accept Whitaker as a leading man. 'The initial finance fell through when I stuck with Forest Whitaker for the role of Charlie,' Woods said.
"An executive told me straight: `Even if he wins the Oscar he's ugly, he's black and he's unbankable.'"
Forest Whitaker Pictures
Actor Forest Whitaker arrives at the Stand Up To Cancer broadcast event in Hollywood September 5, 2008. The three US television networks, ABC, CBS and NBC are broadcasting a TV special featuring celebrities to raise funds for cancer research. REUTERS/Fred Prouser (UNITED STATES)
Reuters
HOLLYWOOD - SEPTEMBER 05: Actor Forest Whitaker attends Stand Up To Cancer at the Kodak Theatre on September 5, 2008 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Michael Caulfield/Stand Up To Cancer via Getty Images)
Getty Images
Actor Forest Whitaker arrives for the Stand Up to Cancer benefit at the Kodak Theater in Los Angeles, Friday, Sept. 5, 2008. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
AP
HOLLYWOOD - SEPTEMBER 05: Actor Forest Whitaker arrives at Stand Up For Cancer at the Kodak Theatre on September 5, 2008 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Actor Forest Whitaker arrives at Stand Up For Cancer at The Kodak Theatre on September 5, 2008 in Hollywood, California..Stand Up To Cancer - Arrivals.Kodak Theater.Hollywood, CA United States.September 5, 2008.Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage.com..To license this image (55638878), contact WireImage.com
WireImage.com
Actor Forest Whitaker arrives at Stand Up For Cancer at The Kodak Theatre on September 5, 2008 in Hollywood, California..Stand Up To Cancer - Arrivals.Kodak Theater.Hollywood, CA United States.September 5, 2008.Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage.com..To license this image (55634380), contact WireImage.com
WireImage.com
NEW YORK - AUGUST 25: Actor Forest Whitaker attends the 8th Annual USTA Serves' OPENing Gala during the 2008 US Open at the President's Gate at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 25, 2008 in Queens Borough of New York City. (Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images)
Getty Images
NEW YORK - AUGUST 25: Actor Forest Whitaker attends the 8th Annual USTA Serves' OPENing Gala during the 2008 US Open at the President's Gate at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 25, 2008 in Queens Borough of New York City. (Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images)
Getty Images
NEW YORK - AUGUST 25: Actor Forest Whitaker attends the 8th Annual USTA Serves' OPENing Gala during the 2008 US Open at the President's Gate at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 25, 2008 in Queens Borough of New York City. (Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images)
Getty Images
NEW YORK - AUGUST 25: Actor Forest Whitaker attends the 8th Annual USTA Serves' OPENing Gala during the 2008 US Open at the President's Gate at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 25, 2008 in Queens Borough of New York City. (Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Speaking at the Australian Directors Guild conference in Sydney this weekend, Woods said the company, which he wouldn't name for legal reasons, eventually let go of the script because of their disagreement over Whitaker.
The budget on 'Winged Creature's dropped from $US11 million to $US4.5 million because Woods wouldn't consider a Michael Douglas or an Al Pacino for Whitaker's role. "The unbankable part of it was nearly right," he said.
"They wanted everyone but Forest Whitaker ... and this is one of the best actors on the planet." By the time we had stacked the cast around Forest the asking price for the movie had more than halved from its initial level."
'Winged Creatures' centers around a random shooting in a Los Angeles diner, and how it affects the lives of those who witness it.
I don't know about anyone else, but to say that Whitaker isn't bankable truly hasn't seen his body of work and what he brings to the table. There are plenty of actors, especially Oscar winners who still can't open a film let alone bring in an audience. 'Winged Creatures' was the first film that Whitaker and Hudson did after winning Oscars in 2007, and it still doesn't have a release date.
Comments: (398)
Add a comment
By: Holly on 10/03/2008 8:22PM
I have always loved Forest's integrity and sincerity as a person.
I have enjoyed seeing him in intereviews as he is well spoken and intelligent.
He is not traditional Brad Pitt, Densel Washington good looking but,pretty is is pretty does and he is a kind and good person whatever color he is.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: solar64 on 10/03/2008 8:27PM
I,m not black and I,m not racist, if I were in charge of the casting director he/she would be fired. What kind of idiot utters those words and then turns their back on pure talent. When were they planning to release his film, when the public forgot it was even made? Sounds like politics to me.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Jennifer on 10/03/2008 8:26PM
I think he's a good actor and very,very,very sexy!!!!!
Oh yeah! he has a cute smile!
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Connie on 10/03/2008 10:18PM
It is a sad day in our country when good looks is weighed heavier than quality. Forest Whitaker has proven himself to be quality. If movies are to reflect real life, we need to keep it real. I do not goe to the movies to look at a pretty face. I go for the story. A pretty face is just a bonus. Mr. Whitaker has a very interesting face and quality that you can relate to. I tire of seeing the lead role done by the same actor or actress.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Dram buivodka on 10/03/2008 8:29PM
Forest is an outstanding actor regardless of the color of his skin.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: dan mcgrew on 10/03/2008 8:31PM
People who "bank" movies are not rocket scientists.
Otherwise, they would not have continued writing checks for Cleopatra, which took forever to produce any profit.
Forest Whitaker is one of a very small group of great actors around today.
Kirk Douglas, Duvall, Portier, Nicholson, DeNiro, Paccino and the giant we just lost are in his league.
Anyone fortunate enough to have a copy of "Bird" and "The Last King of Scotland" can verify Whitaker's stature at any time.
The fact that a certified equine posterior is a racist in not surprising. That in this day that caliber of creature is in position to do great harm while practicing the ancient art of cranial rectal suppository, gives us all to believe all banker may indeed be stupid and incompetent.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: GINNY HALL on 10/03/2008 8:30PM
WHITAKER IS A FINE TALENTED ACTOR PERIOD !!!!
WHY CAN'T HE JUST A FINE ACTOR WHY DOES BLACK
EVEN HAVE TO BE A TAG ON ????? I DON'T GET IT !
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Citizen Slant on 10/03/2008 8:35PM
Whitaker is not a sex symbol if that's what meant by referring to him as ugly. However, he is a pretty darn good actor.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: agb1953 on 10/03/2008 8:37PM
The survey should have been 3 seperate questions. Is he ugly? Yes. Is he black? Yes. Is he unbankable? No. He is a talented actor and that's what makes good movies. Jack Nicholson is ugly. Most of us are ugly. So what. They can act. That's what I want to watch. Joe Cocker is ugly but I love his music. He's a singer, not a model. Ugly doesn't matter. Doing the job matters.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Alonzo Golden on 10/03/2008 8:42PM
It's truly a shame that in this day and age, there are those who still dwell in that most darkest, soulless and horrid of places. As a Black actor, Forest Whittaker is one of a number of role models for many aspiring actors, including myself who hope to someday make a name for themselves in the acting industry. Forest is an amazing actor whose beauty is within his work and the incredible emotions he's able to showcase during his performances. I truly hope that such obviously ignorant comments result in more actors of color to strive even more to achieve success despite such reprehensible comments and actions. Forest is an oscar winning actor who is BANAKABLE and revered among his peers with an amazing body of work. Such an attitude from a film executive has no place in an industry which showcases people of every race/ethnic origin, gender, etc. Such ignorant and racist views will prevent him from working with many of the world's most brilliant performers and soon he himself will be "UNBANAKABLE" and he (& his business) will fail! Good riddance to bad rubbish! Bravo Forest! Keep up the awesome work! Excelsior!
Reply to this Comment | Report This