this doesnt shock me. I'm a struggling screenwriter and I'm always keeping a sharp eye on news of racism and sexism in the film biz.

S. Epatha Merkerson (who's black), who plays a hard-nosed tough attorney in Law and Order, said that she had to fight hard to be casted in the role, because producers automatically assume that it would be played by a white woman, even though there was NOTHING that said the character had to be white.

Everybody is beautiful in his or her own way and his is just not conventional. Lets keep it 100. But he acts his ass off and it should be a pleasure to have him attached to any project.

I was training day style scared after the Last King of Scotland

Harsh, but kinda' true. Auds want leading man or leading woman looks, period. Plus, Will Smith is considered THE most bankable star, period. Of course the studio exec would prefer him. Same for Tom Cruise, in his prime, vs. someone like James Woods, who now does TV. Remember, it is called show BUSINESS.

Have those people seen Michael Douglas or Al Pacino lately? Either one of them is a looker.

No suprise. But that's why I like/respect Whitaker more than Will Smith. Whitaker is pure talent. More respect to him.

Not only is t racist. Its just plain rude

Here we go again….weak ass people!

Australians are not my first choice in anything, plus they club kangaroos.

The fact that the man is unbelievably talented (which I've known since the 80's) is irrelevant, huh? Wow, Hollyweird indeed. Unfortunately, I'm not surprised since most of the brothers that get top billing are the ones other ethnicities want to "get down" with like Will, Terrence, Blair (post-SATC) and Denzel. I'm looking forward to seeing the flick when it's done, no matter what budget constraints they have.

i LOVE forest whittaker, I used to have a boyfriend who looked just like him — transferred that into a major crush on Forrest after we broke up. not to mention he's always taking thoughtful, interesting roles.

SMH. Rude, mean and untrue. Okay, I'm not a fan of the eye wonk and wonkage in general, but he's not ugly. This exec seems to be one of the many people, black people included, who equate black with ugly.

P.S.: if execs opted for GOOD movies, they wouldn't have to shell out $20 million for actors who have nothing going for them but popularity. A crappy movie with an A listed is still a crappy movie and perhaps more people will come on opening weekend, but after that, nothing. Also, certain movies are for Oscars and others are for money. The two seldom occur at the same time.

well, i'm going to be honest. i never was and never will be crushing on Forest Whitaker. does that have anything to do with his talent and ability to sell a movie? no.

ugly, he is not, but if this man was your local average joe, some of yall wouldn't give him the time of day. and that's real.

This is some bull…. count me among the folks who were scared $#!%less after Last King of Scotland. But spread the outrage around, because for women of all races in Hollywood that are his age — with a handful of notable exceptions — this is protocol. No matter how good an actor you are, it's "hello Lifetime movies" unless Tarentino has a soft spot in his heart for you. And if you're Whitaker's size, too? Fughedaboutit.