In light of the upcoming The Odyssey (2026) film and its non-Greek cast, how would you feel about an ancient Assyrian film that did not feature Assyrian actors?
The Odyssey is already facing backlash over its casting choices, including a Black Helen of Troy, a trans male Achilles, and the absence of Greek actors in major roles. So how would you react to a hypothetical film about ancient Assyria that featured a Black king and an overwhelmingly non-Assyrian cast?
Personally, I would not mind a non-Assyrian cast, so long as the actors actually look Assyrian. So no Brad Pitt, but also no Will Smith. Actors such as George Clooney, Al Pacino, Stanley Tucci, James Franco, and Sandra Bullock pass as Assyrian. I would not consider that “whitewashing” (as some people probably would, lmao).
Of course, some Assyrians should still be cast, but as minor roles. I mean, would a film starring someone named “Ninos Khoshaba” at the top of the billing sell massive numbers of tickets? Probably not, unless it were a Jesus film. So I am fine with a non-Assyrian cast, provided the actors at least visually resemble us.