Marlon Wayans, who stars in the upcoming “Fifty Shades of Black,” isn’t too surprised by the lack of diversity in this year’s Oscar nominations.
“I think you have to expect that,” the actor told the New York Post. “It’s called the ‘Oscars.’ It’s named after a white dude. It’s not as if it’s called the ‘Jamals’ or the ‘Leroys.’”
He said people of color need more opportunities to make films.
“We need to make more movies and be more productive,” said Wayans. “I think that’s the best way to respond and I think one year, we’ll have a blackout.”
Since the Oscar nominations were announced last week, Academy voters have come under fire for failing to nominate a single actor of color. The cast of “Straight Outta Compton” is nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Ensemble Award, and Will Smith and Idris Elba both received Golden Globe nominations.
Smith and his wife Jada Pinkett Smith, Michael Moore and Spike Lee have all said they will not attend the Oscars this year.