10 Upcoming Movie Castings That Pissed Off Actors
3. Maureen Lipman Wants A Jewish Star, Not Helen Mirren - Golda
Despite being quick to highlight how she feels that the legendary Helen Mirren is "a fine actress, and will be brilliant in the role", that still didn't stop The Pianist star Maureen Lipman from disagreeing with the decision to have the star step into the shoes of Israeli leader Golda Meir in an incoming biopic centred around the figure.
Claiming that "the Jewishness of the character is so integral,” Lipman was clearly not too happy about a Jewish actor not being brought in for the Golda part, stating that "If the religion fires the character, then I honestly think you should look at that group, that gender."
Far from shying away from the controversy surrounding the call, however, Mirren herself would also address her casting by telling The Daily Mail:
"I do believe it is a discussion that has to be had, it’s utterly legitimate... You know, if someone who’s not Jewish can’t play Jewish, does someone who’s Jewish play someone who’s not Jewish? There’s a lot of terrible unfairness in my profession.”
And with Mirren making many a headline for looking simply unrecognisable on the back of her prosthetic transformation for the role, it's safe to say more than a few eyes will be on the Oscar-winner's work by the time Golda arrives on the scene later this year.