"Aloha" director Cameron Crowe addresses Emma Stone casting controversy
"Aloha" director-writer Cameron Crowe is defending his casting of Emma Stone for the part of a character with Hawaiian and Asian heritage.
Many have called out the Crowe, 57, for having Stone play Allison Ng, who is said to be a quarter Hawaiian and a quarter Chinese.
Crowe took to his blog, The Uncool, to apologize and deflect the criticism, explaining that the apparent contradiction between the character's appearance and ethnicity is precisely the point. The "Birdman" star, 26, was perfect for the part, he said.
"I have heard your words and your disappointment, and I offer you a heart-felt apology to all who felt this was an odd or misguided casting choice. As far back as 2007, Captain Allison Ng was written to be a super-proud quarter Hawaiian who was frustrated that, by all outward appearances, she looked nothing like one," Crowe wrote. "Extremely proud of her unlikely heritage, she feels personally compelled to over-explain every chance she gets. The character was based on a real-life, red-headed local who did just that."
Although many actors of Hawaiian background were cast for other roles in the movie, including a cameo from the real Nation of Hawaii leader Dennis "Bumpy" Kanahele, Crowe has been fielding a lot of questions about his handling of diversity and culture in "Aloha."
"We were extremely proud to present the island, the locals and the film community with many jobs for over four months," he wrote, adding a mea culpa for any potential missteps he took. "Emma Stone was chief among those who did tireless research, and if any part of her fine characterization has caused consternation and controversy, I am the one to blame."