Casting Manager Fired Over 'Hobbit' Race Dispute
Peter Jackson's company dismisses the crew member after an actor lodged a racism complaint
WENN
A casting manager working on "The Hobbit" has been sacked over a British actress's report that she was turned down for a role in the film because of her skin color.
More on 'The Hobbit': Racism claims create problems | Cast revealed
Naz Humphreys, who has Pakistani heritage, auditioned in the New Zealand city of Hamilton last week but said she was rejected because movie bosses wanted only "pale-skinned" actors.
She said, "It's 2010, and I still can't believe I'm being discriminated against because I have brown skin. The casting manager basically said they weren't having anybody who wasn't pale-skinned."
Bing: Return to Middle-Earth for more on 'The Hobbit'
A crew member also reportedly published a newspaper advertisement calling for extras with "light skin tones."
A spokesperson for Peter Jackson said no such instructions had come from the director's Wingnut production company, and a representative has confirmed that a casting agent has been fired over the incident.
The rep says, "No such instructions were given. The crew member in question took it upon themselves to do that, and it's not something we instructed or condoned. ... The crew member in question has been dismissed. ... It's something we take very seriously."
Peter Jackson's company dismisses the crew member after an actor lodged a racism complaint
WENN
A casting manager working on "The Hobbit" has been sacked over a British actress's report that she was turned down for a role in the film because of her skin color.
More on 'The Hobbit': Racism claims create problems | Cast revealed
Naz Humphreys, who has Pakistani heritage, auditioned in the New Zealand city of Hamilton last week but said she was rejected because movie bosses wanted only "pale-skinned" actors.
She said, "It's 2010, and I still can't believe I'm being discriminated against because I have brown skin. The casting manager basically said they weren't having anybody who wasn't pale-skinned."
Bing: Return to Middle-Earth for more on 'The Hobbit'
A crew member also reportedly published a newspaper advertisement calling for extras with "light skin tones."
A spokesperson for Peter Jackson said no such instructions had come from the director's Wingnut production company, and a representative has confirmed that a casting agent has been fired over the incident.
The rep says, "No such instructions were given. The crew member in question took it upon themselves to do that, and it's not something we instructed or condoned. ... The crew member in question has been dismissed. ... It's something we take very seriously."