Exodus: Gods and Kings

Ridley Scott Says 'Exodus' Would Never Get Financed Starring "Mohammad So-and-So From Such-And-Such”

Ever since the marketing campaign for "Exodus: Gods And Kings" rolled out, a small but not insignificant chorus has risen - mostly online - about the casting of Ridley Scott's Biblical epic. Essentially, there have been complaints that the film features a distinct lack of ethnic actors from the region and instead relies on A-list actors slotting in roles of Moses, Ramses, and more. While he vaguely addressed the issue over the summer, with the movie due in theaters soon, Scott has become much more candid about why he cast Christian Bale and Joel Edgerton over an actor more representative for those roles (or any of the secondary players).

“I can’t mount a film of this budget, where I have to rely on tax rebates in Spain, and say that my lead actor is Mohammad so-and-so from such-and-such,” Scott told Variety. “I’m just not going to get it financed. So the question doesn't even come up.”

While his vernacular is a bit crude, he has a point. Sadly, the state of blockbuster filmmaking also requires names that will sell tickets, and putting Batman in your movie versus an actor that is far less recognized, just isn't an option in today's climate. Not to say that justifies the line of thinking, but it's the reality of the situation, for better or worse.