Unlike Ridley Scott with "Exodus: Gods and Kings," director Alex Proyas has chosen to issue an apology for casting a bunch of white people from Europe and Australia as Egyptians in "Gods of Egypt." Interestingly enough, studio Lionsgate also offered an apology and a promise to do "better." It's too late to do "better" for this particular film, which comes out February 26, 2016, but cynics could see this as an attempt to avoid the fate of Scott's "Gods and Kings."

"Gods of Egypt" is a fantasy film inspired by the classic mythology of Egypt, starring Gerard Butler, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Geoffrey Rush, and Brenton Thwaites. Here's how director Alex Proyas and Lionsgate responded to the calls of whitewashing (via Forbes):

Alex Proyas:

"The process of casting a movie has many complicated variables, but it is clear that our casting choices should have been more diverse. I sincerely apologize to those who are offended by the decisions we made."


Lionsgate:

"We recognize that it is our responsibility to help ensure that casting decisions reflect the diversity and culture of the time periods portrayed. In this instance we failed to live up to our own standards of sensitivity and diversity, for which we sincerely apologize. Lionsgate is deeply committed to making films that reflect the diversity of our audiences. We have, can and will continue to do better.​"


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