Regé-Jean Page Responded to Reports He Was Rejected for a Role Due to Race

Before Regé-Jean Page's star-making turn in Bridgerton, the actor reportedly went out for the role of Superman's grandfather in the Syfy series Krypton. However, according to The Hollywood Reporter, Page was turned down because then-DC Films chairman Geoff Johns "said Superman could not have a Black grandfather."

On Tuesday, THR published an exposé on actor Ray Fisher's experiences working on Justice League that included alleged racism behind the scenes at Warner Bros. The report featured an anecdote about how the creators of Krypton "were passionate about doing some nontraditional casting," with Page auditioning for the role. But Johns, "who was overseeing the project, said Superman could not have a Black grandfather" — despite the fact that Superman is a being from outer space who can fly and who has X-ray vision.

In a statement to THR, Johns' representative explained that he "believed fans expected the character [of Superman's grandfather] to look like a young Henry Cavill," who plays Superman in Man of Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, and Justice League.

Page seemingly responded to the reports on Twitter on Wednesday, 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 do the work. We still fly."

English-American actor Cameron Cuffe was ultimately cast in the role, though the show was canceled after just two seasons.

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Page, of course, went on to star in Bridgerton and host Saturday Night Live, and can next be seen alongside Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans in The Gray Man, as well as in a lead role in the upcoming Dungeons and Dragons movie.