Dwayne Johnson might have landed the role of African American folk hero John Henry, but many Black film fans aren’t having it.
As we reported this week, Johnson will star and produce John Henry and the Statesman for Netflix, with Johnson leading an ensemble of American and international folklore figures. But many feel that a darker-skinned actor should have been given the role to adhere to the usual portrayal of the character.
Historically, John Henry’s always been depicted as having a *very* dark skin complexion and while Dwayne Johnson is undeniably a black man, this is all quite ????????????.
I’m legitimately curious who the target audience for this movie is meant to be.
— Anathema BYOD (@CharlesPulliam) October 9, 2018
The Rock as John Henry?!!! I bet Morris Chesnut somewhere pissed!
— Ava Boovernay ???? (@unicorninkk) October 9, 2018
So we can sit & watch John Henry’s wife be played by Katie Holmes?
PASS. https://t.co/DkJ7p8IM1V
— Nine-Taled Foxy???????????? (@FoxyJazzabelle) October 9, 2018
*Pause* Please tell me the Rock is NOT playing my Dark-Skinned John Henry. Because that would be a problem https://t.co/FlPvRoobAl
— LaBlaq, the final Fantastic. (@LoveAndShalom) October 9, 2018
John Henry has always been portrayed as a very large, very brownskinned/darkskinned man with a BW love interest.
And the Rock is…well… pic.twitter.com/9jc1xOhGc9
— Clarkisha Kent: Steve Rogers’ Spooky Widow (@IWriteAllDay_) October 9, 2018
Only on-screen John Henry I acknowledge pic.twitter.com/62cxZwyd1Q
— 6OWSETTE (@CineMasai_) October 9, 2018
It is worth noting that Johnson is biracial. But some feel that casting Johnson leans into colorism and denies other actors the ability to play Black folk heroes. Twitter users have given their suggestions on who could have played John Henry from Winston Duke to Ving Rhames, Terry Crews, Trai Byers and Trevante Rhodes.
They casted The Rock to play John Henry??? I like Dwayne and all but is he the only one out there acting?? Where is Winston Duke, Terry Crews, etc.?? This ain’t it chief. pic.twitter.com/f6W5Zk2nMY
— Ashtynn (@ThatsSoAshtynn) October 9, 2018
My whole thoughts and only thoughts on John Henry:
John David Washington and Tika Sumpter.
Thanks for coming to my TED Talk.
— ???????????????????? ???????????????????? ???????? ???????????? ???????????????????????????? (@Maria_Giesela) October 9, 2018
Terry Crews? #JohnHenry pic.twitter.com/pHVOtGqCzu
— Nyasha Junior (@NyashaJunior) October 9, 2018
Terry Crews as John Henry pic.twitter.com/TlnB25XBR1
— George M Johnson (@IamGMJohnson) October 9, 2018
John Henry literally right here pic.twitter.com/F4hgfjMjEm
— MISTER TERRIFYING! (@NewTSage) October 9, 2018
Plus wouldn’t Ving Rhames be a better John Henry voice? Dude was a steel driven’ man
— David R. Walsh (@_davidrwalsh) October 10, 2018
I think they should have given this role to Trai Byers from that show Empire. I can remember watching the cartoon version as a kid, Mr. Byers reminds me of the John Henry character, but in real life form.
— David Lee Williams (@DavidLeeWillia8) October 10, 2018
Trevante Rhodes would’ve made a good John Henry too and I’d like to see him built up more, could’ve been a grand opportunity.
— Bejá the Babe (@belledae) October 10, 2018
Hollywood continues to cast mixed race/ambiguous actors in unambiguous black roles. It’s colorism. John Henry was a large, dark black man. Winston Duke, Trevante Rhodes, Henry Simmons, Terry Crews, Billy Brown, or dozens of others would be better suited.
— Brown Recluse (@TheQueenofKush) October 10, 2018
No doubt, people will have plenty more to say about John Henry and the Statesman once the film drops.
