One of this week's most talked about headlines in the entertainment industry was Ed Skrein's departure from his newly landed role of Ben Daimio on the upcoming "Hellboy" reboot with "Stranger Things" star David Harbour. The news came as a shock to many, when just one week after Skrein announced that he landed the role, he was stepping down so that it would be more appropriately cast. The issue lies in the fact that Ben Daimio was a Japanese-American in the original comics. Many cried foul and accused the production of whitewashing, just as "Doctor Strange," "Aloha," and "Ghost in the Shell" did with their stars.
Racism and whitewashing are common issues that have plagued Hollywood for decades. When black people are portrayed in film and TV, they're often loud, angry, and less fortunate, struggling to make ends meet. The same goes for Latinos who are often portrayed as drug pushers and drug lords for men, and household help for women. While these issues continue to permeate throughout film and television, some programs and films actually make it a point to do the opposite. That's what "Riverdale" did when they cast Brazilian actress Camila Mendes in the role of Veronica Lodge—an heiress to the Lodge empire and daughter to two wealthy parents.
Actress thinks it's 'refreshing' to see a well-to-do Latina on screen
"Riverdale" star Camila Mendes spoke to PEOPLE to express her thoughts on how her role is very different from the Latina stereotype of being a helper or blue collar worker. The 23-year old explained, "It’s just so refreshing to see a different story being told for Latin families.
The Lodge family is a much-needed departure from the underprivileged, sleazy Latino drug-dealers we’re used to seeing in entertainment. It’s rare that you see Latin families being portrayed as intelligent, sophisticated, and powerful entities."
Mendes was told she didn't 'look Latina enough' for Latin roles
The entertainment industry is a cutthroat industry where competition is stiff.
For every role there is, there are hundreds of actors and actresses who want to play the role. It's just a matter of the right casting. But even the casting process is flawed, as with Ed Skrein's addition to the "Hellboy" reboot, which he thankfully made a stand against. "Riverdale" actress Camila Mendes isn't a stranger to these struggles. She shared to PEOPLE that she's beginning to "see the issues in how some projects are cast." She added that casting directors would often tell her, "You don't look Latina enough," a mentality that Mendes calls "so backwards."
Camila Mendes is set to return to "Riverdale" season 2 as Veronica Lodge on October 11.
