‘Exodus: Gods And Kings’ Racism: Christian Bale, Ridley Scott Defend Film Having Mostly White Cast

On Sunday in Brooklyn, the Exodus: Gods and Kings premiere was attended by Christian Bale and the movie’s director, Ridley Scott.

The biblical film based in Egypt has been the subject of racism since it boasts a predominately white cast in the main roles. Christian Bale, Joel Edgerton and Sigourney Weaver are cast in the centric roles while blacks portray servants, killers, and criminals. In fact, there’s a hashtag #BoycottExodusMovie out for those strongly opposed to how the cinematic production is crafted.

As the Associated Press reveals, Scott avoided the controversy surrounding the film. His response to those who are threatening to boycott Exodus is, “I say, ‘Get a life.'”

Scott further defends the casting decisions by saying he had to assemble the “best possible cast… on a budget of this scale.” The film cost an estimated $140 million to make, according to the report.

Bale supports Ridley and shares that collaborating with him on the film was “a true partnership.” When the Oscar-winning actor was asked to portray Moses, he did some research and admits he “just found it to be too fascinating to pass it up.”

The actor is aware of the Exodus controversy involving racism in the casting, but looks at from a business standpoint.

“No doubt it would have been a melting pot between Europe and the Middle East and North Africa.”

He thinks what Scott did to make a movie on a large budget was well done. It has mostly to do with investors feeling secure having actors and actresses with serious star power. Christian Bale believes Ridley Scott has been “incredibly honest in getting a large, big-budget film like this made.”

Scott interviewed with Variety and told them his reasons then for working with big-name Hollywood stars.

“I can’t mount a film of this budget, where I have to rely on tax rebates in Spain, and say that my lead actor is Mohammad so-and-so from such-and-such.”

Another article on Inquisitr a few weeks ago focused on the controversy over Exodus having a mostly white cast.

On top of that, Bale brings up filmmakers from other nations and asks critics a question.

“I don’t think fingers should be pointed, but we should all look at ourselves and say, ‘Are we supporting wonderful actors in films by North African and Middle Eastern filmmakers and actors, because there are some fantastic actors out there.”

Bale is emphasizing that the same audiences can help lesser known international actors in the Western world get cast in big roles for major movies. When investors see the public support those films, they’ll want to finance big-budget movies, says Bale. If the audience shows financiers they’ll be there, there will be major films with more international actors and actresses. He says he’ll “celebrate” the day when another Exodus movie comes out with Moses being “cast with a North African or Middle Eastern actor” because he thinks it will be great for “humanity” and “for storytelling in general” in the film industry.

Exodus: Gods and Kings hits theaters Friday, December 12.

[Photo Credit: AP]