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Judas And The Black Messiah’s director had no problem casting Brit as U.S. Civil Rights icon

Daniel Kaluuya stars as Fred Hampton Jr in Judas And The Black Messiah (Image by Warner Bros)
Daniel Kaluuya stars as Fred Hampton Jr in Judas And The Black Messiah (Image by Warner Bros)

Judas And The Black Messiah director Shaka King has launched a staunch defence of casting British actor Daniel Kaluuya as Illinois Black Panther Party Chairman Fred Hampton.

During a virtual panel to mark the release of Judas And The Black Messiah’s incredible trailer, King told Variety, “I’m well aware of the debate around British actors playing American Black, iconic figures. But I was born in America, my family is Caribbean and I have a South African name so I am, literally, emblematic of a diasporic way of thinking.”

“Kidnapped Africans ended up all around the world. We have a lot more in common than people think, in terms of our experience and trying to overthrow white supremacy.”

Over the last few years various individuals, including Samuel L Jackson, criticised the casting of Kaluuya in Get Out and Cynthia Erivo in Harriet, both of whom earned Oscar nominations for their performances.

David Oyelowo’s casting as civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr in Selma was also attacked, too.

But Shaka believes that the international ideology of the Black Panthers means that no-one should have an issue with their decision to cast Kaluuya in the leading role.

WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA - JANUARY 11:  Shaka King accepts the "Someone to Watch" Award from Emily Mortimer and Alessandro Nivola at the 2014 Film Independent Filmmaker Grant And Spirit Awards Nominees Brunch at BOA Steakhouse on January 11, 2014 in West Hollywood, California.  (Photo by Taylor Hill/Getty Images)
Shaka King accepts the "Someone to Watch" Award from Emily Mortimer and Alessandro Nivola at the 2014 Film Independent Filmmaker Grant And Spirit Awards. (Photo by Taylor Hill/Getty Images)

“The Panthers, ideologically, were very international. So I can’t imagine there would be an objection. Maybe there would be, but I didn’t go into this thinking there would be.”

Read more: 'Queen & Slim' actor Daniel Kaluuya reveals worst first date

It also helps that Hampton’s son Fred Hampton Jr was on set every day to make sure that Judas And The Black Messiah did justice to both Hampton’s and the Black Panthers’ legacy.

As well as Kaluuya, Judas And The Black Messiah also stars Lakeith Stanfield as William O’Neal, the undercover FBI informant who worked against Hampton.

Judas And The Black Messiah will be released in 2021.