There is an uproar on Twitter over news that former "Sons of Anarchy" actor Charlie Hunnam's next role will be that of a Mexican drug lord.
According to Deadline, the English actor was chosen to portray Edgar Valdez, who became later known as cartel leader "La Barbie." It was also mentioned that Legendary Studios got hold of the project with Jason Hall penning the story for the big screen.
While the upcoming movie will be a chance for fans of the 35-year-old actor to play someone involved in drugs again just like the FX TV series, netizens were outraged and called the news yet another "whitewash" move in Hollywood.
In a report on the Los Angeles Times, it was mentioned that many people on Twitter were apprehensive for the "Sons of Anarchy" star Charlie Hunnam to portray "La Barbie" because of the fact that "he's white English and would be playing someone of Mexican descent."
Some of the outcries on social media included the apparent "white only" problem in Hollywood and how diversity hasn't been observed lately.
Green State University associate professor Dr. Montana Miller lauded netizens for reviving discussions about diversity in general.
"I think it's encouraging that people are speaking out against this kind of casting, and the more people voice their objections the less likely it will continue to be such an unspoken but normalized trend in Hollywood," Miller told Fox News.
For Hollywood producer Vincent Newman though, questioning on Twitter former "Sons of Anarchy" Charlie Hunnam's casting as "La Barbie" felt unfair.
"It seems not well thought-through to be upset over casting an excellent actor to act as a character with whom he seems to share many physical resemblances," he said. "It's acting after all, and the merit of the choice will be assessed as it is with all casting choices, on the quality and believability of his performance."
Hunnam and the team behind the movie have yet to address the uproar on the casting.