Controversy surrounded the 2016 Academy Awards due to the lack of minority actors and actresses recognized for their work. Famous celebrities like Spike Lee and Will Smith even skipped the ceremony and urged fans to boycott the show as well. Though Chris Rock did a great job of discussing the controversy in his monologue, some fans still believe that Hollywood looks down on minority actors. After looking at the highest grossing films from 2015 though, you might find yourself surprised at some of the stars of those films.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens
With a total box office gross of more than $2 billion, Star Wars: The Force Awakens became the biggest film of the year and the third highest grossing movie of all time. It starred newcomer Daisy Ridley as Rey and helped prove that films featuring females could win big at the box office. It also featured John Boyega in the pivotal role of Finn. Boyega played a former Stormtrooper who helped the Rebels in their fight for good. Though some say there are less roles for minority actors, the top film of the year featured African American Boyega in a starring role.
Furious 7
Furious 7 made more than $1.5 billion around the world and became the highest grossing film in the franchise. It even stood as the top film of the year until the release of Star Wars and Jurassic World. One of the stars of that film was Vin Diesel. Though Diesel claims he is of mixed heritage, he also stated in the past that he is a man of color. The film, which was the third highest grossing of the year, also featured minority actors like Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Chris Bridges and Djmon Hounsou.
Avengers: Age of Ultron
Fans of current urban news may also remember that 2015 was the year of Avengers: Age of Ultron. Though most of the actors featured in the film were white, it did feature several minority actors. Don Cheadle returned to his role as War Machine, one of Tony Stark’s closest allies, and Anthony Mackie returned as Falcon, a superhero who can fly. The film grossed more than $1.4 billion and set up the next film in the series. While controversy surrounded Hollywood at this year’s Oscars, these films showcased some of the most talented minority actors working today.
