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Hollywood whitewashing: Is Ed Skrein's Hellboy exit a turning point?

Ian Youngs
Entertainment reporter
Getty Images Ed SkreinGetty Images

Film fans have inundated Ed Skrein with love after the British actor turned down the role of Major Ben Daimio in the new Hellboy film because the character is of mixed Asian heritage (and he isn't).

Skrein's decision comes after years of controversy about Hollywood whitewashing. The rising star has been praised for his stance, especially since he's at a crucial point in his career, and won lots of new irers.

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Who is Ed Skrein?

Before becoming Hollywood's real-life hero, the Londoner was best-known for his movie breakthrough as the villain Ajax in Deadpool.

He also played the original Daario Naharis in season three of Game of Thrones.

Other films included The Transporter Refueled, replacing Jason Statham in the franchise, plus Ill Manors and Kill Your Friends.

Getty Images Ed SkreinGetty Images
It could be a risky move for an actor on the cusp of the big time

Career suicide, or a good move?

Skrein's statement is "very brave" for someone who's an up-and-coming actor in Hollywood, according to Larushka Ivan-Zadeh, Metro newspaper's chief film critic.

"Will he, by standing up for anti-whitewashing, be blacklisted as a troublemaker":[]}