Stop Casting the Same Actors Over and Over…Be Original Hollywood!

Graphics by Kylie Adedeji

Just announced, writer and director Emerald Fennell has revealed her cast for her adaptation of “Wuthering Heights”.

Let’s play a game. Why don’t you try and guess who will play the 18-year old Catherine Earnshaw or the dark-skinned Heathcliff…

Are they up-and-coming actors who are awaiting their breakthrough role? Or even, Actors who fit Emily Bronte’s original character descriptions?

Done guessing yet? Well, it’s none other than Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, of course! I’m still not convinced Fennell or anyone involved has even read the book but that’s a different argument for another time. I mean, no research at all, just her most recents in her contact list and a dream.

This isn’t to say that I don’t love Margot Robbie or Jacob Elordi (Have you ever seen more beautiful people?) or that they aren’t talented (I was sat for “Barbie” and “Priscilla”) but when there are several other actors who might actually fit the description and are looking for roles, why not cast them instead?

Based, not just on this announcement, but if you’ve seen a movie announcement or trailer over the last month in general, you’d think that Hollywood only knows a handful of the same white actors (and Zendaya). It’s gotten to the point that if it doesn’t have Barry Keoghan, Timothee Chalamet or even Ryan Renyolds, we start to question if the project is even real.

When Hollywood resorts to using the same actors for every new project, it takes away the opportunity for up-and-coming actors to have their chance on the big screen. Many hustle for years to break into the industry, going from audition to audition, only to find out the role went to Glenn Powell or Florence Pugh. Hollywood is a notoriously brutal industry, and the ongoing reusage of the same people is only making it harder for new actors to make it.

While these big name actors bring in a large audience, widespread recognition and lots of money, we’re missing out on the chance to see new, talented faces who have so much to offer. If Hollywood continues with this practice, all it does is push the idea that there’s no space for actors that aren’t already famous and lead to a Hollywood that’s inaccessible or unachievable for most.

Again, all of these actors are talented and rightfully deserve their fame, I even look forward to their future projects, but Hollywood, come on! Would it kill them to host an open casting call every once in a while?