Regé-Jean Page appears to have spoken out after a report claimed he missed out on securing a role in the Superman spin-off TV series Krypton because he is black.
On Wednesday an article in The Hollywood Reporter quoted sources who claimed that DC Comics writer and former Chief Creative Officer of DC Entertainment Geoff Johns refused to cast a black actor in the lead role of Superman's grandfather Seg-El.
This is the role the Bridgerton star allegedly auditioned for in the 2019 TV series. Cameron Cuffe was eventually cast in the role throughout Krypton's two-season run.
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He took to Twitter in following the article on Wednesday evening, writing: "Hearing about these conversations hurts no less now than it did back then. The clarifications almost hurt more tbh. Still just doing my thing. Still we work. We still fly."
Multiple sources informed The Hollywood Reporter that Krypton's creators had been "passionate about doing some non-traditional casting" when searching for the actor to play Superman's grandfather, but were allegedly shut down by Johns.
A representative for Johns responded to the Hollywood Reporter's article, claiming that "Johns believed fans expected the characters to look like a young Henry Cavill", who most recently starred as Superman in various DC films including Man of Steel, Batman vs. Superman and Justice League.
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Johns' rep also denied the allegations in an article by E! News, sharing: "Geoff never said Superman can't have a Black ancestor or be Black - there have been diverse versions of Superman throughout the comics for decades so he does and can be diverse."
The Hollywood Reporter also reports that the former DC boss turned down the creators' pitch to make one superhero character - Adam Strange - gay or bisexual.
Johns' rep said told The Hollywood Reporter: "Geoff celebrates and supports LGBTQ characters, including Batwoman, who in 2006 was re-introduced as LGBTQ in a comic book series co-written by Johns."
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Tyla has contacted DC Entertainment for comment.
Regé-Jean went on to star as The Duke of Hastings in Netflix's hit period drama Bridgerton which has been praised for its diverse casting. On Friday it was announced that he would not return for the second season.
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