1. Mickey Rooney in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” (1961)
Mickey Rooney’s portrayal of Mr. Yunioshi, a Japanese character, in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” is a prime example of offensive stereotyping. The exaggerated accent and makeup are cringe-worthy and inappropriate by today’s standards.
2. Laurence Olivier in “Othello” (1965)
Laurence Olivier’s role as Othello, where he wore blackface, is another instance of a casting decision that wouldn’t fly today. This portrayal is an outdated and insensitive representation of race.
3. Angelina Jolie in “A Mighty Heart” (2007)
Angelina Jolie played Mariane Pearl, a woman of Afro-Cuban descent, in “A Mighty Heart.” This raised eyebrows and questions about why an actress of the appropriate ethnicity wasn’t cast instead.
4. Emma Stone in “Aloha” (2015)
Emma Stone’s role as Allison Ng, a character who is part Hawaiian and part Chinese, in “Aloha” sparked controversy. The casting choice was widely criticized for whitewashing an Asian-Pacific Islander character.
5. Johnny Depp in “The Lone Ranger” (2013)
Johnny Depp’s portrayal of Tonto, a Native American character, in “The Lone Ranger” was seen as culturally insensitive. Many felt a Native American actor should have been cast in the role.
6. Jake Gyllenhaal in “Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time” (2010)
Jake Gyllenhaal’s casting as the Persian prince Dastan in “Prince of Persia” was met with backlash. Critics argued that the role should have gone to an actor of Middle Eastern descent.
7. Scarlett Johansson in “Ghost in the Shell” (2017)
Scarlett Johansson’s role as Major Motoko Kusanagi, a Japanese character, in “Ghost in the Shell” led to accusations of whitewashing. Fans of the original anime were particularly disappointed.
8. Jim Sturgess in “Cloud Atlas” (2012)
Jim Sturgess played multiple roles in “Cloud Atlas,” including a Korean character. His use of yellowface makeup was criticized for being racially insensitive and inappropriate.
9. Justin Chatwin in “Dragonball Evolution” (2009)
Justin Chatwin’s role as Goku, a character originally Japanese, in “Dragonball Evolution” was another case of whitewashing. Fans of the manga and anime series were not pleased with this casting choice.
10. John Wayne in “The Conqueror” (1956)
John Wayne’s portrayal of Genghis Khan in “The Conqueror” is now seen as a major miscasting. His performance and appearance were far from authentic and didn’t do justice to the historical figure.
11. Elizabeth Taylor in “Cleopatra” (1963)
Elizabeth Taylor’s role as Cleopatra, the Egyptian queen, in “Cleopatra” raised questions about casting a white actress in such a significant historical role. Today, this would likely be seen as cultural appropriation.
12. Tilda Swinton in “Doctor Strange” (2016)
Tilda Swinton’s casting as the Ancient One, a character of Tibetan origin, in “Doctor Strange” faced backlash for whitewashing. The decision to change the character’s ethnicity angered many fans.
13. Marlon Brando in “The Teahouse of the August Moon” (1956)
Marlon Brando’s role as Sakini, a Japanese character, in “The Teahouse of the August Moon” involved yellowface and an exaggerated accent. This portrayal wouldn’t be acceptable today.
14. Natalie Wood in “West Side Story” (1961)
Natalie Wood, a white actress, played Maria, a Puerto Rican character, in “West Side Story.” This casting choice has been criticized for not accurately representing the character’s ethnicity.
15. Fisher Stevens in “Short Circuit” (1986)
Fisher Stevens played Ben Jabituya, an Indian character, in “Short Circuit.” His use of brownface and a stereotypical accent are examples of inappropriate and offensive representation.
16. Katharine Hepburn in “Dragon Seed” (1944)
Katharine Hepburn’s portrayal of Jade, a Chinese character, in “Dragon Seed” involved yellowface makeup. This kind of casting is now seen as disrespectful and outdated.
17. Ben Affleck in “Argo” (2012)
Ben Affleck played Tony Mendez, a real-life Hispanic CIA agent, in “Argo.” Critics argued that a Hispanic actor should have been cast for greater authenticity.
18. Anthony Quinn in “Lawrence of Arabia” (1962)
Anthony Quinn’s role as Auda abu Tayi, an Arab character, in “Lawrence of Arabia” is another example of miscasting. Today, it’s likely that an actor of Middle Eastern descent would be chosen instead.
19. Jennifer Connelly in “A Beautiful Mind” (2001)
Jennifer Connelly played Alicia Nash, a Salvadoran character, in “A Beautiful Mind.” This casting choice has been criticized for not accurately representing the character’s ethnicity.
20. Yul Brynner in “The King and I” (1956)
Yul Brynner’s portrayal of King Mongkut of Siam in “The King and I” has been questioned for its authenticity. Casting an actor of Thai descent would be more appropriate today.
21. Burt Lancaster in “Apache” (1954)
Burt Lancaster’s role as Massai, an Apache warrior, in “Apache” involved brownface makeup. This portrayal is seen as disrespectful and wouldn’t be acceptable today.
22. Rooney Mara in “Pan” (2015)
Rooney Mara played Tiger Lily, a Native American character, in “Pan.” This casting choice faced backlash for whitewashing and not accurately representing the character’s ethnicity.
23. Alec Guinness in “A Passage to India” (1984)
Alec Guinness’s role as Professor Godbole, an Indian character, in “A Passage to India” involved brownface makeup. This kind of casting is now seen as inappropriate and offensive.
24. Christian Bale in “Exodus: Gods and Kings” (2014)
Christian Bale played Moses, a Hebrew character, in “Exodus: Gods and Kings.” The film faced criticism for casting white actors in roles that should have gone to actors of Middle Eastern descent.
25. Joel Edgerton in “Exodus: Gods and Kings” (2014)
Joel Edgerton’s role as Ramses in “Exodus: Gods and Kings” also faced backlash. Like Bale’s casting, it was criticized for not accurately representing the character’s ethnicity.
26. Marlon Brando in “Viva Zapata!” (1952)
Marlon Brando played Emiliano Zapata, a Mexican revolutionary, in “Viva Zapata!” His casting and use of brownface makeup wouldn’t be acceptable by today’s standards.
27. Joseph Fiennes in “Elizabeth, Michael and Marlon” (2016)
Joseph Fiennes portrayed Michael Jackson, an African American pop icon, in “Elizabeth, Michael and Marlon.” This casting decision was met with widespread criticism for being tone-deaf and inappropriate.
