People are calling for Pedro Pascal to play Fidel Castro instead of James Franco

People have hit out against the idea of James Franco being cast as Cuban revolutionary Fidel Castro in an upcoming film.

But, amongst all the complaints, some fans have come up with a brilliant alternative to the controversial actor.

Many film buffs on Twitter were quick to point out that The Mandalorian's Pedro Pascal looks strikingly similar to the former Cuban leader.

One user said: "Hey pro AH accounts, let’s arrange another protest/boycott to get James Franco replaced with Pedro Pascal for the Fidel Castro role. We’re pretty good at it."

A second added: "Ok so I’m not done with this James Franco casting news. Was Pedro Pascal unavailable? Although not Cuban, he makes a lot more sense on every level. He’s also related to Allende, a man Fidel Castro deeply admired and supported. Like…we’re talking one degree of separation here."

A third person on social media referenced Colombian-born actor John Leguizamo's comments on the controversial casting choice, chiming in with: "So James Franco, a white actor, is going to play Fidel Castro, a Cuban [revolutionary] ... Yeah, I'm with you on this one, John Leguizamo."

While Pascal might not be Cuban, he has South American heritage and fans reckon that's at least a step up compared to Franco.

Lequizamo, took to his Instagram last week to air his grievances against James Franco portraying the Latin leader.

The Romeo + Juliet star, who grew up in Queens, New York, wrote: "How is this still going on? How is Hollywood excluding us but stealing our narratives as well?

"No more appropriation, Hollywood and streamers! Boycott! This F’d up! Plus, [it is] seriously difficult story to tell without aggrandisement which would be wrong! I don't got a problem with Franco but he ain't Latino!"

Deadline reported that Franco will appear alongside Mía Maestro in Miguel Bardem’s upcoming biopic Alina of Cuba.

Maestro is set to portray Natalia 'Naty' Revuelta, the Cuban socialite who Castro had a passionate affair with, while Ana Villafañe has landed the role as their daughter Alina Fernández.

Speaking about the decision to cast Franco, producer John Martinez O’Felan told the outlet: "Finding and convincing James Franco to play Castro, was a fun and challenging process and has been the collaborative work of the universe."

He said that the 'director’s original order was to find an actor who holds a close physical resemblance to the real Castro', while also looking for someone who 'Alina Fernandez would strongly endorse'.

Featured Image Credit: Netflix. Creative Commons.

Topics: TV and Film, News

Rachel Lang

Rachel Lang is a Digital Journalist at LADbible. During her career, she has interviewed Aussie PM Malcolm Turnbull in the lead up to the 2016 federal election, ran an editorial campaign on the war in Yemen, and reported on homelessness in the lead-up to Harry and Meghan’s wedding in Windsor. She also once wrote a yarn on the cheese and wine version of Fyre Festival.

@rlangjournalist