Actor and producer David Oyelowo -
Zuma / Starface
David Oyelowo is used to being targeted with racist attacks, but even for the 44-year-old British comedian, the surge of hatred surrounding his upcoming film,
Come Away
, is surprising.
In an interview with The
Hollywood Reporter
, the actor, who stars in Brenda Chapman's comedy-drama (which he also produces) alongside Angelina Jolie, revealed how frustrated he is seeing thousands of negative reviews on sites like IMDb.com or Rotten Tomatoes.
And for good reason !
The film, built as a prequel to
Alice in Wonderland
and
Peter Pan
, has not yet been released and only premiered at Sundance earlier this year.
“It's something that I've experienced in my career, regularly, being a black person who tends to gravitate towards more serious content that makes things happen.
It seems that these people find it deplorable, ”he said.
Blatant racism
With the film set for release in early November, producers have noticed that negative reviews have been pouring in since a trailer went online.
David Oyelowo thinks he knows what did not like these “Review Bombers”: the family he plays on screen with Angelina Jolie and their two children, Alice and Peter.
Most of the negative reviews mention that the two children are not played by white actors.
“The film doesn't deal with issues of racism at all.
It turns out that this is a family that could and should have existed at this time in British history, but is not the norm of what you're used to seeing.
We understood that we were in a difficult situation, as the Disney people have experienced after the cast of John Boyega as Stormtrooper in
Star Wars
or Halle Bailey
The Little Mermaid
, "added the actor.
This practice, called "Review Bombing", was also used against the 100% female version of
Ghostbusters
or
Captain Marvel
.
The actor suggested in his interview that sites prevent audiences from leaving reviews until films are released.
A call that seems to have been heard.
Since then, the only ratings available on Rotten Tomatoes are those given by movie critics and IMDb.com simply got rid of all ratings before the film was released.
People
Idris Elba owes the launch of his career to Prince Charles
Actor
Video
Cinema
Angelina Jolie
Critical
People
Racism
Movie