Anger Over 'Whitewash' Plans To Cast DiCaprio As Muslim Poet

Anger has erupted over plans for a new biopic about the revered 13th century Muslim poet and scholar Rumi.

David Franzoni, who penned the script for Russell Crowe Oscar-winner ‘Gladiator’, has revealed that he’s working on the project with producer Stephen Joel Brown.

- Lumley: Ab Fab’s Patsy is transgender
- Maisie Williams eviscerates tabloid headline
- Splash to be remade with a twist

In an interview with The Guardian, Franzoni has said that they are liking Leonardo DiCaprio for the lead, and Robert Downey Jr as Shams of Tabriz, an Iranian spiritual instructor who was of great influence to Rumi.

“This is the level of casting that we’re talking about,” said Brown.

“It’s a very exciting project – and obviously challenging,” added Franzoni, who recently visited Istanbul to meet with experts on the scholar.

“There are a lot of reasons we’re making a product like this right now. I think it’s a world that needs to be spoken to; Rumi is hugely popular in the United States. I think it gives him a face and a story.”

However, this has resulted in the pair being called out for a potential 'whitewashing’ of the story, in placing caucasian actors in the role of a man who was not white.

Journalist Rachel Shabi tweeted:

Many others were similarly unimpressed.

A petition has already been set up, requesting that the filmmakers rethink their plans.

“Es Film and Y Productions: don’t erase Jalaluddin al-Rumi’s identity by casting a white actor to portray him,” reads an accompanying message to the producers.

“While we spend a lot of time fighting on policies and the issues, we also know that popular culture that demonizes Muslims and folks from the Middle East plays a huge role in perpetuating Islamophobia.

“And producers have no problem casting non-white actors for negative roles. For instance, this film will reportedly portray the Mongols as ’[rampaging] extremists’ — roles that will undoubtedly be filled by actors of color.”

Rumi, or Jalaluddin al-Rumi to give him his full title, was born in what is now Afghanistan in 1207, and is regarded as one of the great intellects of Muslim culture.

Image credits: Yahoo File/IBT/Twitter