A Hong Kong actor who expressed his support for last year’s Occupy Central pro-democracy protests has been dropped from his latest film.
Chapman To, best known for his roles in “Infernal Affairs” and “Initial D”, was recently pulled from upcoming flick “Impossible”.
The feature film, which began production in Sep. 2013, was scheduled for release early this year. Chapman’s scenes are currently being reshot with a Chinese actor.
To recently engaged in a war of words with Chinese netizens over his support for the Occupy movement.
And that wasn’t the first time. In early 2014, he received flak from Weibo users for his supported of a student uprising in Taiwan. A 100,000-strong campaign titled “Block Chapman To from mainland China” followed To’s political statements.
Although Chinese netizens blame the fallout on To’s support for the Occupy movement, his dismissal is still surrounded by heavy speculation. No one but Chapman and producers know the truth.
If Chapman truly did lose his feature role because of his political stance then he joins the ranks of international actors who’ve faced repercussions for their political activism.
Most recently, Javier Bardem and Penelope Cruz faced furious backlash from Hollywood producers last July following their open letter urging the European Union to pressure Israel to end their military operation Gaza.
“Impossible” is scheduled for released in mid-2015.
Source: Taiwan Focus, China Digital Times
