Woody Allen Won't Cast Black Actors to Appease Critics

Woody Allen has heard it before. Critic after critic, while admiring his body of work, wonder why the auteur doesn’t hire more actors of color for his films.

Allen knows the line of questioning. He just refuses to do anything about it.

The Annie Hall director opened up on the issue to the New York Observer, saying he won’t be changing his casting methods to assuage critics.

Not unless I write a story that requires it. You don’t hire people based on race. You hire people based on who is correct for the part. The implication is that I’m deliberately not hiring black actors, which is stupid. I cast only what’s right for the part. Race, friendship means nothing to me except who is right for the part.