They found the choice a little soulless.
Disney Pixar’s latest film, “Soul,” has received a fierce online reaction from viewers who consider Tina Fey’s role in the film to be “racially insensitive.” Criticism comes amid a multitude of brilliant reviews praising the music, animation and depiction of the black culture of the Disney + release.
The groundbreaking animated film, starring the studio’s first African-American protagonist, follows high school jazz teacher Joe Gardner (played by Jamie Foxx), whose untimely death leads him on a pilgrimage. posthumous to regain his lost soul.
Along the way, Joe helps a disillusioned spirit named 22 (played by Tina Fey) rediscover the reason for living, and in the process, he better understands what it means to be alive.
Needless to say, Fey’s casting was the focus of fire from the ever-very-frank Twitterati, who felt the key role should have been for a black actor or actress.
“Yeah, throwing Tina Fey as 22 in Soul didn’t do it for me, 22 should have been voiced by a black guy,” mocked a watchdog on social media.
Another wrote“I think they should have gotten Regina King or Tiffany Haddish to express the character of Tina Fey.”
Some viewers split especially during the long stretch of the film, where Fey’s voice took over Joe Gardner’s body on “Freaky Friday.”
“The first black protagonist in the study needed the soul of a middle-aged white woman to put her life on track,” launched a critic of the cinematic white savior-ism. “Thank you for considering the ‘racist images.’
Another catch, “The inclusion of Tina Fey for body changes and not for a predominantly black comedian feels a lot like someone saying, ‘We don’t want to alienate our white audience’ … … and I’m even more disappointed by the movie because of her.
“Soul” isn’t the only project accused of inadequate casting for the race. “Wonder Woman 1984” star Gal Gadot was torn from her portrayal of Cleopatra, with critics saying an Arab or African actress should play the iconic Egyptian leader instead of the Israeli actress. of 35 years.
Gadot hurried to close the detractors. “First, if you want to be true to the facts, then Cleopatra was Macedonian,” she told BBC Arabic. “We were looking for a Macedonian actress who could adapt to Cleopatra. She was not there. And I was very passionate about Cleopatra. “