Marvel star Chiwetel Ejiofor has said that the movie industry needs to embrace diversity in order "to survive".
Talking to Digital Spy for the release of Netflix's The Old Guard, Ejiofor spoke about the diversity and inclusion in the movie, both in terms of its cast and the story, and how it is a sign of how movies can move forward.
"That was already in the script, but [director Gina Prince-Bythewood] was going to enhance all of those elements of inclusion and representation that are really going to be, I think, a fundamental and very important part of this industry going forward.
"And has to be if it wants to survive really, and it wants to engage with audiences. She was somebody who really is able to do that and to create that kind of atmosphere and so I love that part of being in this project."
Reflecting on her own experiences, Prince-Bythewood told Digital Spy that any movie she makes that "centre Black women" are the "hardest to make".
"I feel like I've just been in the sustained fight for 25 years to make these films. I'd like to not have to fight so hard because our stories deserve to be told, and the world needs to see our stories, they need to see us in every genre.
"And not just consider a film with some Black characters in a Black film. We should be in a Western, we should be in sci-fi, we should be in love stories... Black filmmakers should have the opportunity to tell all types of stories.
"You know the fact that in 2020, we're still having firsts is sad. It is incredibly sad. But my hope is that in having success with this film that that can open the door and others can get this opportunity."
Prince-Bythewood cited Ryan Coogler's impact with Black Panther and how the industry needs "more of that" going forward:
"It changes the dynamic, it changes the storytelling, it changes what it's focused on and again I think that's what the audience needs, that's what Hollywood needs, because that can absolutely change the world."
Ejiofor's co-star Harry Melling also praised the diversity in The Old Guard, both in the movie and on set.
"It was wonderful to work on set and to see just how everyone's being represented there and I remember from the off, that was a really important aspect," he recalled. "It was a wonderful thing to be a part of that."
Matthias Schoenaerts added that even though The Old Guard is very action-fuelled, it's the diversity and inclusion that adds an extra element to it.
"It always starts from an emotional place, and the diversity component is definitely something that you feel is a very rich texture to the movie and the project as a whole. That's an element that fuels the enthusiasm that we have through the shooting," he said.
Prince-Bythewood also spoke to Digital Spy about how The Old Guard is planned as the start of a trilogy.
The Old Guard will arrive on Netflix on July 10.
Netflix/Left Bank Pictures The Crown season 3 with Amazon exclusive box artwork
House of Cards - Season 6
For more information on how you can support Black Lives Matter, please visit its official website or donate here. Readers can also donate to the UK anti-discrimination group Stand Up To Racism, and the Unite Families & Friends Campaign, which supports those affected by deaths in police, prison and psychiatric custody.
Digital Spy now has a newsletter – sign up to get it sent straight to your inbox.
Looking for more TV recommendations and discussion? Head over to our Facebook Group to see new picks every day, and chat with other readers about what they're watching right now.
Movies Editor, Digital Spy Ian has more than 10 years of movies journalism experience as a writer and editor. Starting out as an intern at trade bible Screen International, he was promoted to report and analyse UK box-office results, as well as carving his own niche with horror movies, attending genre festivals around the world. After moving to Digital Spy, initially as a TV writer, he was nominated for New Digital Talent of the Year at the PPA Digital Awards. He became Movies Editor in 2019, in which role he has interviewed 100s of stars, including Chris Hemsworth, Florence Pugh, Keanu Reeves, Idris Elba and Olivia Colman, become a human encyclopedia for Marvel and appeared as an expert guest on BBC News and on-stage at MCM Comic-Con. Where he can, he continues to push his horror agenda – whether his editor likes it or not.
Photo Director, Hearst UK
Shyvonne (she/her) has over 10 years' experience as a photo editor and entertainment journalist with NCTJ accreditation and an honours degree in Journalism. In 2021, Shyvonne was shortlisted for the PPA Unsung Hero Award.
Having started her career as a shopping assistant for parenting magazines Mother & Baby and Pregnancy and Birth, Shyvonne moved over to the world of pictures working for Heat magazine, and online websites for newspapers Daily Star and Daily Express, before joining Digital Spy in 2016 as Picture & Multimedia Editor.
While Shyvonne looks after Digital Spy's and Hearst's digital brand visuals across the board, she also writes and conducts interviews for DS – specialising in the Power universe, anything Beyoncé, as well as championing content across Black TV shows and movies. Shyvonne is also a proud mum.
