'Hellboy' actor leaves film after whitewashing backlash and more arts stories you might have missed
In this week's Art Post Outpost, Ed Skrein withdraws from playing a character originally of Asian heritage
Here at CBC Arts, you won't just find our original content — we also bring you the best art posts from across the entire CBC network.
These are the week's can't-miss stories:
'I must do what I feel is right:' Ed Skrein pulls out of Hellboy film after whitewashing backlash (CBC News)
"British actor Ed Skrein has withdrawn from the upcoming Hellboy reboot a week after his casting sparked outcries of whitewashing. In a lengthy post on his social media channels on Monday, Skrein says he accepted the role unaware of its mixed Asian heritage. He says the uproar that resulted was 'understandable' and that he was stepping down 'so the role can be cast appropriately.' The character Skrein was to play, Ben Daimio, is Japanese-American in the Hellboy comics the films are based on. Critics said Skrein's casting was just the latest instance of an Asian or Asian-American role being handed to a white actor."
Boy who saved brother by copying 'The Rock' to meet actor in Vancouver (CBC British Columbia)
"A 10-year-old boy who saved his brother's life by mimicking Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson is going to meet the actor in Vancouver. According to Johnson, "Jacob pulled him out, remained calm" and started administering CPR and chest compressions. 'He learned how to do this by watching this big, brown, bald, tattooed guy do it in his favourite movie: San Andreas,' the actor continued. The boy's quick thinking is credited for saving his brother's life. 'Jacob, I'm so proud of you — so much so, I've got to meet you,' Johnson said."
After viral cat workout videos, Edmonton tradesman-turned-model gets his Hollywood break (CBC Edmonton)
"An Edmonton man has earned fame and moderate fortune by using his plump cat as an exercise weight and posting the workout on the internet. And a year since the video was posted, the pair has moved to Los Angeles and now have their eyes trained on the small screen. Deslaurier has written a screenplay starring Jacob and the web comedy series is set to go into production. 'It's about Jacob, he kind of snaps from the social media fame and starts doing a lot catnip and starts selling catnip across the Colombian border,' said Deslaurier. 'He's a 'nip dealer and he's kind of a vigilante killer because he's killing off the competition. It's going to be hilarious.'"
How YA authors and online sleuths got a book pulled from a New York Times bestseller list (As It Happens)
"When young adult author Phil Stamper saw a book he'd never even heard of debut as No. 1 on a New York Times bestseller list, he figured something fishy was going on. Handbook for Mortals is the debut book from author Lani Sarem and the first release from the publishing arm of L.A.-based website geeknation.com. So Stamper — along with journalists, authors and online sleuths like designer/photographer Jeremy West — started investigating. They say they found evidence that suggests the book benefited from pre-order bulk sales meant to game the system."
Canadian director enjoying 'ridiculously extravagant' response to Game of Thrones (CBC Toronto)
"A lot happened in the season finale of HBO's blockbuster series and Canadian director Jeremy Podeswa orchestrated every minute. 'It's awesome, but it's also an awesome responsibility,' said Podeswa in an interview with CBC News from his California home. 'It's really exciting. I knew going in it was going to be a big deal...Now it belongs to the world.'"
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