Hollywood adaptation of Crazy Rich Asians has cast its Chinese male lead – and he’s half-white
Eurasian Henry Golding to play Nick Young character from Kevin Kwan’s hit novel, a decision hailed, ironically, by co-star Constance Wu – who objected to ‘whitewashing’ of Matt Damon in The Great Wall
After a much-publicised worldwide search, the long-awaited Hollywood adaptation of Kevin Kwan’s hit 2013 novel Crazy Rich Asians has finally found its male lead in Singapore and Malaysia-based television host Henry Golding – a Eurasian. The casting was first reported in the Hollywood Reporter.
The first-time feature film actor will play Nick Young, a New York University professor who is actually part of a super-rich Chinese family based in Singapore. He will be joined by Fresh Off the Boat actress Constance Wu (as Nick’s girlfriend, Rachel) and Michelle Yeoh (as his disapproving mother). Kwan also serves as an executive producer on the project, which is directed by Jon M. Chu.
While Golding’s model-like features, British accent and even his sense of belonging towards Singapore all fit the descriptions of Nick in the novels, a minor backlash regarding the actor’s ethnicity can already be found in scattered reaction on social media.
On the relevant post on Hollywood Reporter’s Facebook page, the most liked comment currently reads, “Guess this film will be two steps forward one step back for diversity. We still aren’t at a point where a Hollywood film can have a full Asian male lead. Do Asian males need to be half white to be ‘good looking’ enough for the big screen? Can’t believe this film is becoming white washed.”