00:00Following the James Dean CGI casting controversy,
00:03the director of the film is speaking out.
00:05When director Anton Erst and his co-director
00:07announced earlier this week
00:08that their Vietnam War-era drama Finding Jack,
00:11based on the novel of the same name,
00:13was casting the late actor
00:14to play a prominent character through CGI,
00:17social media erupted with backlash.
00:19Actor Chris Evans even called the decision shameful.
00:22Now, Erst is opening up to The Hollywood Reporter
00:24about the criticisms on social media,
00:26saying he was saddened and confused
00:28over the overwhelmingly negative comments.
00:31He said,
00:32We don't really understand it.
00:33We never intended for this to be a marketing gimmick.
00:35Ernst revealed he and his co-director
00:37did audition live actors to play the role of Rogan,
00:40but ultimately decided Dean was the perfect fit for the part.
00:42Magic City Films obtained the rights
00:44to use Dean's image from his living relatives,
00:47represented by CMG Worldwide.
00:49Ernst said that Dean's estate,
00:50which is run by two cousins on the late actor's father's side,
00:53has been supportive of the film
00:55and believes they would not have expected
00:56such a backlash to occur.
00:58According to the director,
00:59I think they would have wanted
01:00their family member's legacy to live on.
01:02That's what we've done here as well.
01:04We've brought a whole new generation of film goers
01:06to be aware of James Dean.
01:07And when asked about whether resurrecting Dean digitally
01:09crosses a line with regards to posthumous casting,
01:12Ernst explained,
01:13Anyone that is brought back to life,
01:15you have to respect them.
01:16I think the line should be,
01:17you must always honor the deceased's wishes,
01:19and try to act in a way that is honorable
01:21and full of dignity.
01:22For more on this story, head to THR.com.
01:24Until next time, for The Hollywood Reporter News,
01:26I'm Tiffany Taylor.
Comments