Tackling Ageism in Hollywood: Eli Roth’s Mission
Who says only young actors can rule the silver screen? Not Eli Roth, a famous flick maker who’s got a thing for scary movies. Roth has always been known for thinking differently and now he’s rooting for older actors in Hollywood.
Eli’s Journey from Horror to Sci-Fi
Known for his mega movies like Cabin Fever and Hostel, Eli has now turned his attention to something totally different – science fiction. This move came to light with his latest hit, ‘Borderlands.’ We got the scoop from him when he spoke about the movie’s casting decisions recently during a ScreenTime chat.
Eli has always focused on one thing – quality. For him, the actor’s age does not matter. What matters is how well they can play the part. This shatters the typical Hollywood mindset that only young actors are suitable for certain roles.
Spotlight on Ageism in Hollywood
Eli realises that ageism is a big deal in Hollywood. Many older actors are overlooked simply because of their age, which is totally unfair. Instead of focusing on age, Eli thinks that talent and skill are the real game-changers.
Guess who are some of his favourite actors? Cate Blanchett, Jack Black, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Gina Gershon. All of them have stellar records and tons of experience to their credit. Eli cast these veterans in ‘Borderlands,’ and by doing so, he bucked the Hollywood trend in a big way.
Breaking Age Barriers in ‘Borderlands’
In a first of its kind move, ‘Borderlands,’ a 2024 movie adaptation of the popular game, had older actors working as top-billed players. This dynamic decision showcases the beauty of age diversity and the high regard that seasoned actors should get.
Eli is a big fan of Cate Blanchett and rates her as one of the best actors, so it’s no surprise she was the first one he approached for ‘Borderlands.’ Next up, the director selected Gina Gershon and Jamie Lee Curtis for leading roles.
Valuing the Wisdom of Senior Talents
Eli can’t stop gushing about his decision to cast Gershon. He says, “I wanted Gina Gershon to play Moxie. I thought she was brilliant at it. So for me, it’s always about getting the best actors in the world and watching them on screen.”
Eli’s latest flick boasts a cast of fantastic females in their sixties. This choice opposes the usual Hollywood tendency to ignore older talents. Regardless of the movie’s box office performance, this is a bold move that deserves applause.
A New Age in Hollywood
Eli’s new release ‘Borderlands’, is set to hit theatres on August 9. Besides the promise of great cinema, this movie shines a spotlight on the issue of age discrimination in Hollywood.
It’s high time Hollywood sets its biases aside. Only talent and skill should matter, not age. Directors like Eli might cause a ripple effect and more would begin to embrace diversity in age when casting. Older actors deserve recognition – their talent is a treasure that should be celebrated, not sidelined. Maybe ‘Borderlands’ would be the first of many strides in this direction.
Here’s hoping Eli Roth’s valiant stand against ageism in Hollywood is just a start to a much-needed revolution in the film industry!
For more details, visit Project Casting Blog on https://www.projectcasting.com/blog/news/director-eli-roth-challenges-ageism-in-hollywood-by-casting-senior-actors-in-borderlands/