An actors' union has slammed the casting of US actor Terrence Howard as former president Nelson Mandela in the upcoming film Winnie as unimpressive.
Already, the role of Winnie Madikizela-Mandela being given to US actress Jennifer Hudson raised the ire of local actors.
In December, when the news broke that Jennifer Hudson would play the role of Madikizela-Mandela, veteran actor John Kani said: "Every time there is a movie that tells a South African story, it is done by someone who must be taught the right way of pronouncing 'sawubona'. Enough is enough."
Yesterday, the Creative Workers' Union joined the fray.
Union president Mabutho "Kid" Sithole said: "The last time we checked, back in December, they were still battling with Mama [Madikizela] Mandela.
"But we are unapologetically unimpressed for a lot of reasons. But mainly we are asking one question: If we keep importing people to portray roles of our icons, when are we going to have our creative work develop? When will we see another Charlize [Theron] or a Zakes Mokae?
"They said they are looking for box-office success with these actors, but look at Sarafina with Whoopi Goldberg and Cry Freedom with Denzel Washington. It's no guarantee for a box-office smash."
Lindani Nkosi, who played Nelson Mandela in the 2004 movie DRUM, produced by Zola Maseko, said he had recently auditioned for a role in Winnie. Nkosi said local artists needed such roles, because many "were just sitting at home".
The Andre Pieterse and Darrell Roodt film will be shot at Robben Island, Cape Town, Johannesburg, and around Mthatha in the Eastern Cape from the end of this month.
