Will Smith “not black enough” to play Richard Williams

Will-Smith-colorism-casting-King-Richard

Will Smith in "Bright" © Netflix

The announcement of Will Smith’s casting in the upcoming biopic of “King Richard” about Serena and Venus Williams’ father has divided opinion with critics calling for a change in the casting of the movie.

Will Smith, one of Hollywood’s most respected actors ended up in the middle of a debate on colorism this week with critics suggesting that skin color in the casting process needs to be considered more carefully. With the film industry already grappling with a diversity crisis and people calling for more opportunities for minorities and women, the colorism debate appears to have taken this one step further.

Critics of the casting announcement felt that the decision to choose Will Smith over other actors including Don Cheadle or Idris Elba was a mistake and that his skin tone was not dark enough to portray Williams:

Just like Chadwick shouldn’t have played Thurgood Marshall, Will should not play Richard

Skin color matters in how folk were treated and navigated spaces. Is Alexandra Shipp playing Venus? https://t.co/iNtikcsIoT

— George M Johnson (@IamGMJohnson) March 4, 2019

I like Will Smith but him as Richard Williams is not ok. It's just not appropriate and there are other actors that are dark skinned and have name recognition that can do this work.Anyone that doesn't get that its colorism is delusional

— Kathia Woods (@kathia_woods) March 5, 2019

Colorism matters..love will Smith but there are other black actors for this role https://t.co/qrV1QuBiJH

— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) March 5, 2019

However not everyone agreed with that assessment. Others have argued the debate on colorism is “fake outrage” and this is more about a community of people that are jealous about him being cast in the movie.

Will Smith was not commissioned to execute the role BECAUSE his lighter complexion is more paletable. That would be colorism. I am certain many black actors of all different shades were considered and Smith was the better fit. Because he's brilliant. No matter his skin tone.

— MALIKA mal-eye-kuh (@BeLikeLika) March 6, 2019

Will Smith great actor great human great artist. Not black enough WTF. under these guidelines we still haven’t had a black president. #WillSmith sorry for ridiculous outrage

— It's Okay To Be A Man (@iotbaman) March 6, 2019

Is this actually for real about Will Smith? People are upset that as a black man he's not black enough to play a black man in a movie?! Eh?! #worldsgonemad #stopletmegetoff

— Geords (@Geords1) March 5, 2019

Is Will Smith not black? I’m confused at the outrage.

— LILPUMPSGHOSTWRITER (@IAMELLUSIVE) March 6, 2019

The film industry has faced a number of problems for several years and production companies are under added pressure on casting decisions, production roles and character portrayals. Just last year, GLAAD said that Hollywood studios were "failing" to place LGBTQ characters in their pictures.

Will Smith's casting in the upcoming "Aladdin" movie was also controversial with critics arguing that he wasn't blue, and that it made no sense for him to take on the role.