'Avatar' criticized by woke mob for casting "white actors playing people of color"

More than ten years ago, Avatar broke box office records, giving director James Cameron one of his greatest successes. In 2022, viewers are returning to theaters to follow the story of the "tall, lithe, blue alien race known as the Na'vi" in another three hour adventure.

The film has grossed less than expected ($434.5 million, compared to the projected $525 million). In addition, the growing criticism for the selection of a cast of "only white actors" is making waves on social media, with ranging opinions on both sides.

"White actors playing people of color"

Film critic Kathia Woods commented on what she described the "cultural appropriation of Avatar," arguing that white actors take jobs away from "people of color" by playing nine-foot-tall blue aliens:

Woods' views were considered by some television personalities to be racist and unnecessary. They claimed that Woods took advantage of her platform to spread a divisive message. Others pointed out that they do not care who is cast to play a completely fictional group of aliens.

TV host Dan O'Donnell sarcastically noted that "only nine-foot tall blue aliens can play nine-foot tall blue aliens in movies, apparently," in reference to the fact that the characters in the film are fictional. In this view, the quality of the actor is worth more than the color of his skin .

Investigative journalist Andrew Kerr agreed, saying: "James Cameron didn't even try to find blue natives to play these roles."

Others saw Woods' tweet as an opportunity to remind her that the cast was diverse, including actress Zoe Saldaña and actor Cliff Curtis.

Cameron's opinion

James Cameron has yet to comment on these allegations, but he did respond to very similar questions after the original film's release. In 2010, in an interview, the director defended that "the intention with Avatar was to give people not just an intellectual reaction, but a powerful, emotional and cathartic film," and stated that the film was a "warning to the global conscience."

To the criticism received for casting Sam Worthington, the hero of the Na'vi, as a "white savior" figure, Cameron replied:

In Avatar: The Way of Water, some of the actors from the original film are reprised, such as Zoe Saldaña and CCH Pounder, but there are also new additions to the cast, such as Filip Geljo, Cliff Curtis, Bailey Bass and Duane Evans Jr. who, in Cameron's opinion, help form a diverse cast.