Ricky Whittle On Samuel L Jackson's 'Get Out' Casting Criticism: 'The 100' Actor Speaks Up

Samuel L Jackson has recently criticized directors for their decision to cast black British actors in movies about American race relations. Now, "American Gods" actor Ricky Whittle has aired his side on this issue.

To recall, the "Hateful Eight" actor suggested that Jordan Peele's "Get Out," should have been played by an African-American actor instead of a black British actor. Peele's thriller stars Daniel Kaluuya as the lead character who is dating a white woman. In an interview with New York radio station Hot 97,  Jackson said that the movie would have been better if an African-American actor had been cast.

Jackson, in the interview, also said that Daniel comes from a country where interracial dating has been going around for many years. "Daniel grew up in a country where they've been interracial dating for a hundred years," the 68-year-old actor said. "What would a brother from America have made of that role? Some things are universal, but [not everything]." 

Following Jackson's controversial comment, Ricky Whittle said that the veteran actor's statement was "hilarious," during a quick interview with TMZ. The "The 100" actor was at LAX airport when a reporter chanced upon him and actor Ian McShane. When asked what he thought about Jackson's comment, Whittle said that Jackson was wrong about England not experiencing racism. According to him, everyone knows the feeling of being prejudiced against and that racism is present in England -- it's everywhere.

Meanwhile, Samuel L Jackson clarified his statement via an interview with the Associated Press saying that it was not the British actor he was referring to but the Hollywood system in general. "It was not a slam against [British actors], but it was just a comment about how Hollywood works in an interesting sort of way sometimes," Jackson said.

TagsRacism, Samuel Jacksom, Ricky Whittle, Black British actors, American directors, David Harewood, Daniel Kaluuya