Controversy Erupts Over Denzel Washington's Casting as Hannibal in Netflix Film

Critics argue the casting is a 'falsification of history', while supporters defend it as a matter of creative freedom.

Denzel Washington's casting as the ancient Carthaginian general Hannibal in an upcoming Netflix film has sparked controversy in Tunisia, where the military commander hails from.
Critics, including Tunisian Member of Parliament Yassine Mami, argue that casting Washington, a Black actor, as Hannibal is a 'falsification of history' as Hannibal was of West Asian Semitic origin.
Supporters, including the country’s culture minister, Hayet Ketat-Guermazi, argue that the film is fiction and Netflix has the right to cast who they want.
A petition on Change.org is demanding Netflix cancel the project over Washington's casting, calling it 'unacceptable and unethical'.
The controversy comes as the Tunisian government is reportedly negotiating with Netflix to shoot some scenes of the upcoming film in Tunisia.