Exclusive, Update, writethru with comment from Zach McGowan reps: In May 2017, Deadline broke the news that Zach McGowan had been cast as the lead in Gabriel Robertson’s historical drama Ni’ihau, based on the true story of a WWII confrontation on the titular Hawaiian island. Almost immediately, there was strong reaction to the fact that the role of real-life Hawaii native Ben Kanahele had gone to a Caucasian actor, amid calls of whitewashing and what Ni’ihau producer Ken Petrie says was “a tidal wave of backlash.” The role was ultimately recast with Joseph Naufahu, and the film is now finished. So how did a first-time producer and filmmaker fumble, then navigate the deep waters in which they suddenly found themselves on Ni’ihau?
The original casting turn seems pretty surprising, particularly after public outcries surrounding Emma Stone playing...
The original casting turn seems pretty surprising, particularly after public outcries surrounding Emma Stone playing...
- 11/2/2018
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
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