A former YouTube personality turned actor is being recast in a movie he just finished working on after a video surfaced of him online making jokes and repeatedly spouting the n-word.
Kian Lawley will be recast in the movie ‘The Hate U Give,’ which is based on a young adult novel inspired by the Black Lives Matter Movement after the racist comments emerged, 20th Century Fox announced Monday.
In the video the 22-year-old can be heard saying: ‘That’s why we’re all black people drinking Kool-Aid and eating Kentucky fried mother f***ing chicken.
‘What’s up f***ing n*****?’
It isn’t clear exactly when the video was shot, but it appears to be multiple years old.
Kian Lawley will be recast in the movie ‘The Hate U Give,’ which is based on a young adult novel inspired by the Black Lives Matter Movement after the racist comments emerged, 20th Century Fox announced Monday
In the video the 22-year-old can be heard saying: ‘That’s why we’re all black people drinking Kool-Aid and eating Kentucky fried mother f***ing chicken. What’s up f***ing n*****?’
‘Due to the controversy surrounding his past comments and behavior, Kian Lawley will not longer appear in The Hate U Give,’ a studio rep said in a statement, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
‘The studio plans to recast the role of Chris and reshoot scenes as needed.’
Lawley released a statement on Twitter – expressing his apologies and saying that he understands and respects their decision.
‘Words have power and can do damage. I own mine and am sorry,’ he wrote.
‘I respect Fox’s decision to recast this role for The Have U Give as it is an important story, and it would not be appropriate for me to be involved considering the actions of my past.
‘I understand the impact and I have grown and learned since then. From now on I plan to use my voice for positive change.’
The film hasn’t yet been given a release date – but that is likely to be pushed back due to Fox’s decision to recast.
‘Due to the controversy surrounding his past comments and behavior, Kian Lawley will not longer appear in The Hate U Give,’ a studio rep said in a statement, according to the Hollywood Reporter
Lawley released a statement on Twitter – expressing his apologies and saying that he understands and respects their decision
Filming wrapped up in November – meaning that much of the movie will likely have to be reshot.
Lawley was cast to star in the film, which follows Starr, a young woman drawn to activism after witnessing a police shooting of her unarmed friend, after gaining notice as a YouTube star
So far the decision parallels Sony’s decision to recast Kevin Spacey with Christopher Plummer in the upcoming film ‘All the Money in the World.’
Lawley was cast to star in the film, which follows Starr, a young woman drawn to activism after witnessing a police shooting of her unarmed friend, after gaining notice as a YouTube star.
He has tried to make the transition into acting for many years, first appearing in ‘Before I Fall’ and ‘Shovel Buddies’, two AwesomenessTV features and most recently co-starring in the Fullscreen Series ‘H8ters’.
Before the racist video was released, Lawley was going to join Hunger Games actress Amandla Stenberg in the film – alongside Regina Hall, Common, Issa Rae and Anthony Mackie.
Lawley is the second YouTube star to come under public scrutiny in recent weeks – after Logan Paul published a video on December 31 featuring images of a suicide victim.
The video caused YouTube to put projects on hold with the actor and internet personality.