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SAMUEL L. JACKSON CLARIFIES STANCE ON HOW BRITISH ACTORS ARE TREATED IN HOLLYWOOD

NY MAGEEMARCH 12, 2017

Samuel L. Jackson is responding to the backlash he received following his observation that black British actors are taking over American roles.

When the veteran actor stopped by a New York radio station to promote his latest movie, “Kong: Skull Island,” he took a moment to share his thoughts on the box office hit “Get Out,” and the black Brit actor starring in horror thriller about interracial dating.

“I know the young brother who’s in the movie [Daniel Kaluuya], and he’s British. There are a lot of black British actors that work in this country. All the time,” the BET Lifetime Achievement Award-winner said. “I tend to wonder what would that movie have been with an American brother who really understands that in a way. Because Daniel grew up in a country where they’ve been interracial dating for a hundred years. Britain, there’s only about eight real white people left in Britain… So what would a brother from America made of that role? I’m sure the director helped. Some things are universal, but everything ain’t.”

Daniel Kaluuya in a scene from Universal Pictures ‘Get Out’

Jackson also pointed out Ava Duvernay’s “Selma,” in which British-Nigerian actor David Oyelowo stars as civil rights hero Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He notes that British actors are on the come up in Hollywood because they won’t break the studio’s bank.

“They don’t cost as much. Unless you’re an unknown brother that they’re finding somewhere,” Jackson explained. “They think they’re better trained, for some reason, than we are because they’re classically trained. I don’t know what the love affair is with all that. It’s all good. Everybody needs to work, but there are a lot of brothers here that need to work too. They come here because there are more opportunities, and they actually get paid when they work here. Which is fine.”

Many didn’t care for Sam’s assessment, including “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” star John Boyega.

Jackson has since clarified his comments with the Associated Press, saying: “It was not a slam against them, but it was just a comment about how Hollywood works in an interesting sort of way sometimes,” he said.

“We’re not afforded that same luxury, but that’s fine, we have plenty of opportunities to work,” he continued. “I enjoy their work. I enjoy working with them when I have the opportunity to do that.