Aaron Sorkin has doubled-down on his defence of casting Javier Bardem as a Cuban character, arguing that casting only gay actors in gay roles is an ‘empty gesture’. The 60-year-old filmmaker has received criticism for his new movie Being The Ricardos, in which Spanish actor Bardem plays Cuban actor Desi Arnaz.
Arnaz, best known for playing Ricky Ricardo on the legendary sitcom, was born in Cuba and fled with his family to Miami following the Cuban Revolution, while Bardem is from Gran Canaria in Spain.After previously defending the controversial casting, Sorkin has now told the Sunday Times Culture magazine: ‘It’s heartbreaking, and a little chilling to see members of the artistic community resegregating ourselves.‘This should be the last.