The first trailer for Nina, the 2016 biopic movie project about music icon and civil rights activist Nina Simone, premiered this week to mixed reviews thanks to reactions on Twitter. Hollywood star Zoe Saldana takes on the leading role in the film, which has been in the works for a number of years and then on the shelf for a couple more. After watching the first trailer for the film, people took to Twitter over issues they have with the casting of Saldana - which took place in 2012, by the way.
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That's right; the film took a long time to make. Pre-production began in 2010, with R&B singer Mary J. Blige set to star as the late soul singer, who passed away in 2003 (via Slash Film). When Blige backed out, Saldana, who is obviously one of the most sought-after actresses in Hollywood, was approached for the role, which she took her time to consider. Eventually, she accepted the role in 2012, and started filming (via The Smoking Section).
Watch the trailer for Nina right here:
As you can see from the trailer, Saldana is in heavy makeup and prosthetics, leading to the outrage on Twitter.
Zoe Saldana as Nina Simone looks like Robert Downey, Jr. in blackface and drag.
— Charles Broccoli (@hotterthanjuly) March 2, 2016
I love me some Zoe Saldana in the face, but for someone who's made a lot of conflicting statements about race, Nina Simone isn't her role. — Erin Ashley (@ellhah) March 1, 2016
Watching the trailer for the Nina Simone doc that stars Zoe Saldana just for me mad all over again. Mad 2.0. Mad the remix. Mad the sequel.
— Awesomely Luvvie (@Luvvie) March 2, 2016
QUESTION: Why did they DARKEN Zoe Saldana rather than cast a darker actress since it was such a crucial part of Nina Simone's story? — Dart_Adams (@Dart_Adams) March 1, 2016
Cant be mad at Zoe Saldana.
She could have lost the role of Nina Simone to Angelina Jolie.— Unfuckwittable. (@MsReyda) March 2, 2016
Zoe Saldana as Nina Simone needs to meet the same indifference from audiences, especially Black ones, as 'Gods Of Egypt'. Seriously. — Rusty Redenbacher (@rustymk2) March 1, 2016
