X-Men fans have been delighted to see Marvel’s upcoming animated series X-Men ’97. The Disney Plus exclusive is set to continue the events of the classic X-Men animated series that so many grew up with. Unfortunately, it looks like the reported decision to cast Gui Agustini as Sunspot in the Marvel series isn’t going over well with fans.
As you can see below, social media users are complaining on Twitter that Agustini is not the right actor to play Sunspot. The character, as portrayed in the comics, is an Afro-Latino person. Agustini, on the other hand, is being considered too light-skinned for the role in spite of being Brazilian.
The reported casting of Gui Agustini as Sunspot in X-Men ’97 was discovered in a recent filing made by Marvel with the U.S. Copyright Office. The filing was made regarding the show’s very first episode, and furthermore, it revealed certain details like the voice cast. Agustini’s alleged Sunspot role was uncovered as a result.
It didn’t take long for social media to learn of his involvement. As such, here are some of the complaints which have surfaced so far:
Ight just cancel the show lol next thing they’ll announce a white guy is voicing Bishop https://t.co/rJcKZRk0li
— St. Pablo on Honeymoon 💍⚜️ #WGASolidarity (@Tchalla_Fett) May 29, 2023
This is literally Afro Latino erasure
— mr_blrd (@blerd807) May 29, 2023
Btw this is like a white actor voicing T’challa. https://t.co/69s89qLgfH
— J 🪶 (@angrykrakoan) May 29, 2023
I don’t mind a certain level of blind voice-casting if the diversity behind the scenes is overall diverse, but a character roike Sunspot who’s origins involve racial discrimination and is constantly whitewashed? I think we should’ve gone afrolatino this time. https://t.co/NsFif20JuY
— Evan Von Doom 💀 (@EvanReadsComics) May 29, 2023
Why is he white, though? Sunspot is Afro-Brazilian, and part of his backstory is that he was literally hate crimed for being black. I refuse to believe you couldn’t find one Afro-Brazilian to voice him Disney https://t.co/qa2RCH8mEi
— 👑KaluluVT💎 (@KaluluVt) May 29, 2023
WHY DO WE HAVE TO KEEP DOING THIS?! Sunspot is a Black man. Yes he is mixed but he is visibly Black. I thought we were over casting white voice actors in Black and Brown roles???? https://t.co/ck5N0GBUX7 pic.twitter.com/IluG4VsoXt
— Des⁷ is reading Raybearer ❂☀️👑 (@DestheDreamer_) May 29, 2023
It’s unknown if Disney or Marvel Studios will make any actual changes regarding Agustini’s role in the show. As of this writing, they’ve yet to make any official statement on the matter. Likewise, Agustini has yet to release any kind of response to the backlash. But it’s possible we could see some kind of statement as the criticisms continue to grow on social media.
Stay tuned to ScreenGeek for any further Marvel news and other updates on X-Men ’97 as we have them. According to the filing, fans can expect the series to premiere early next year on January 3, 2024 via Disney Plus. But we’ll just have to wait and see if these details remain the same in the coming months.