Actor Michelle Rodriguez challenged racial minorities in Hollywood to “develop their own mythology” and tell their own stories instead of recasting traditionally white characters as different races.
“It’s not about taking Catwoman or Superman or Green Lantern or whatever these characters are and trying to make them fit to whatever cultural background you are,” the “Fast and Furious” star said in a video posted on Facebook.
“I think that people should stop being lazy and that people should make an effort in Hollywood to develop their own mythology.”
The comments come after Rodriguez was caught on camera saying that minorities should stop “stealing” “white people’s superheroes.” Rodriguez, who identifies as Puerto Rican and Dominican, was walking to her car when TMZ asked her about rumors that she might be cast in the traditionally male role of superhero Green Lantern, last played by Ryan Reynolds.
She dismissed the rumor as “the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard.” She followed it up with, “It’s so stupid, it’s like, ‘Stop stealing all the white people’s superheroes’ … make up your own. You know what I’m saying?”
Apparently, not everyone felt what she was saying, prompting her to post a Facebook video captioned “About that whole superhero thing.”
“I have a tendency to speak without a filter. Sorry about that,” she began the video.
“What I really meant was ultimately, at the end of the day, there’s a language, and the language that you speak in Hollywood is successful franchise,” she said. “I think that there are many cultures in Hollywood that are not white that can come up with their own mythology.
“Instead of trying to turn a girl character into a guy or instead of trying to turn a white character into a black character or a Latin character, I think that people should stop being lazy and that people should make an effort in Hollywood to develop their own mythology.”
Rodriguez said she intends to take up her challenge as she ponders upcoming projects.
“It’s time to stop, stop trying to take what’s already there and try to fit a culture into it. I think it’s time for us to write our own mythology and our own story.”