There has been a lot of discussion about Latino representation in Hollywood, especially when it comes to Latino roles in films and TV. Recently, I heard that Julio chose Mark to play him in a new project. While I understand this decision, it got me wondering: Shouldn’t Latino actors be the ones portraying Latino characters? Hollywood has a long history of underrepresenting Latinos, both in front of and behind the camera. This seems like it would have been a great opportunity to allow a Latino actor to step into a role that truly reflects their heritage and experiences. Historically, we’ve seen non-Latino actors cast in Latino roles, and while some performances have been great, it still raises questions about authenticity and representation. What do you think? Should Latino roles be reserved for Latino actors, or is the actor’s ability to embody the character more important than their ethnicity? Let’s talk about it…
Monica Quiroga Ginn: “I’ll ask the opposite: can Latino actors play roles traditionally held by Anglos? The answer, of course, is yes.There’s plenty of us with light skin. Just like there’s plenty of non-Latinos with dark skin (especially in places like Louisiana). At the end of the day, they’re actors. And their entire job is to act like the character they’re portraying. The other side of that coin is:If Julio Chavez “chose” Wahlberg, then he did so over other actors. If given the opportunity to choose who portrays your life, you’d be within your rights to select whoever you choose. Wahlberg resembles him in these photos, and is obviously a talented actor. He also speaks a little Spanish, and owns a Mexican restaurant. I’d say he’s qualified.We talk so much about qualifications, and how we’re good enough to do anything we set our minds to. Others feel the same.”
Jose Jesus Rodriguez: “Exactly Latino actors should play Latino characters especially when it comes to their life stories.”
Michael Momo Chazz Martinez “It depends. For a created character, who cares. But Affleck playing a real Latino irks me something fierce.”
Amanda Cena: “Those roles should be given to Latinos. They would know exactly how to portray what they already know about our culture, upbringing, etc. It has always bothered me to see Latinos somehow on the back burner in just about everything. Even when people speak about pretty much any culture in just about any subject and they start listing them in order…White, Blacks, Asians, Latinos are always at the end of an example or not even mentioned.”
Reyna Roger: “I love them, both but there is no way, it’s not that Mark’s talent couldn’t pull it off but I have to side with our heritage a mexican actor has to portray a mexican Predecessor? No Racist card. Just facts. We didn’t have a problem with Jlo portraying Selena. Same ideals. Get with the program Hollywood.”
Sally Keen: “ This is the new millennium!! Did you see the cast of the play Hamilton? It’s on the Disney Channel. Lin Manuel (Hispanic) Miranda played Alexander Hamilton (white dude), Leslie Odom (black man) Jr played Aaron Burr(white dude), Daveed Diggs (some kinda minority, lol) played Marquis De Lafayette AND Jefferson (two white dudes), Renee Goldsberry (black woman) played Angelica Schuyler (a very white woman) and that play was a major hit. There were so many minorities playing in that much play. I’m not even sure they had white people in it did they? Look at Mark Wahlberg’s past and he’s probably been one of the most prejudiced dudes in Hollywood!! And I don’t think to this day he’s ever really apologized for beating the crap out of that Asian dude . If anything that should be the reason why he should not be playing this role. Hollywood has tried to clean up his past.”
Herb Rockman: “I generally think parts of a certain ethnicity should be given to actors of that ethnicity, but if someone else is better why not, after all they are ACTORS! In some movies a mismatch can be distracting though. On another note, it does bother me when they change the ethnicities of comic book characters, except in the case of Nick Fury, that was brilliant.”
Rick Carter: “Danny Trejo!! He’s the Best!”
Will Starns: “The role should go to the actor best fit for the job, not given because of the color of skin, Mark is an exceptional actor and will no doubt have Mr Chávez feeling proud. I will view any movie Mr Wahlburg stars in, Congratulations Mark.”
Jerome Aguirre: “Mark Wahlberg doesn’t seem like a bad choice for Julio Cesar Chavez but I’m sure the main reason is because of public draw and dramatic ability to act. A biopic is an extreme gamble and the producers need some kind of security for their investment.”
Steve Mullins: “Mark is a great actor and will draw the crowds to any movie he’s in. He did great in his other boxing movie!”
Patrisha Berry: “Wait, they couldn’t find a Latin Actor or boxer to play Julio? The producers of Black Panther found one and he did an amazing job! MARKY MARK IS A GREAT ACTOR, NO DISRESPECT! He played a pro boxer and was great, I saying Hollywierd had to do better by increasing the representation of Latinos.”
Olivia Koyama: “I would love to see a Latino actor play Julio Cesar Chavez, but if Julio gave Mark his blessing I know Mark Wahlberg will do a brilliant job.”
Tila Garcia: “I love Mark Wahlberb and I’m sure it will be a good movie but I hope they use a Mexican actor, not Puerto Rican, Cuban, or Spaniard, the accent is important in making it more real. Diego Luna would be good.”
Cruz Torres Jr.: “It would be great to get Michael Peña to play Julio but definitely a Mexican or Mexican American actor to play Julio and no actor from other Hispanic countries.”
Isabel Valenzuela; “I love Mark Wahlberg but that doesn’t seem right. I think we should stick to a Chicano man, don’t you think?”
Alexandra Limon: “Why is a really Latino not playing him?”
Ernie Sanchez: “One less role for a Latino actor….”
Frank Woody: “And Julio is Mexican like someone said let Garcia play him . No, a Boston guy!”
Erendira Ortiz Sanchez: “Mark is so handsome and I am sure he is a good actor but what about a Mexican actor? Someone that will represent our culture….”
