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James Franco Is Facing Backlash For His Casting As Fidel Castro
"Ryan Gosling as Barack Obama" energy.

James Franco Is Facing Backlash For His Casting As Fidel Castro

On Thursday, Deadline confirmed that actor James Franco will play Cuba’s former leader Fidel Castro in the upcoming film Alina of Cuba.

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“No more appropriation Hollywood and streamers! Boycott! This F’d up! Plus seriously difficult story to tell without aggrandizement, which would be wrong! I don’t got a problem with Franco, but he ain’t Latino.”

Theo Wargo / WireImage

The View cohost, Ana Navarro, agreed with John.

Ana Navarro-Cárdenas @ananavarro .@JohnLeguizamo is absolutely right. And frankly, I don’t want to see a movie about Fidel Castro, regardless of who they cast. https://t.co/xj7sM9hUey

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Twitter: @ananavarro

Actor Jeff Torres said, “I’m auditioning for another generic Latin American drug dealer, and James Franco is dead ass playing Fidel Castro.”

Jeff Torres @iamJeffTorres I’m auditioning for another generic Latin-American drug dealer and James Franco is dead ass playing Fidel Castro. Latinos gettin’ done dirty af out here and everywhere. Damn lol

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Twitter: @iamJeffTorres

Some on Twitter even joked how bizarre the casting is:

borg @borgposting james franco as fidel castro gives off this adjacent energy

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FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP via Getty Images

Joanna Hausmann Jatar @Joannahausmann The producers justifying why they cast James Franco as Fidel Castro: "Sure he isn't Latino but he IS an asshole so we got that part totally right."

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Twitter: @Joannahausmann

James has not responded to the backlash, but we will update you if he does.

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