Aaron Sorkin Calls Out 'Chilling' Response To His Casting Of Javier Bardem In New Movie

Aaron Sorkin has doubled down on his casting choices for his new film "Being the Ricardos."

Sorkin, 60, faced criticism after casting Javier Bardem, a Spaniard, in the role of Cuban entertainer Desi Arnaz in his new biopic on Arnaz and Lucille Ball, who is played by Nicole Kidman.

The Academy Award-winning screenwriter, however, made it clear in his interview with The Times of London Sunday that he stands by his decision.

"You can act being attracted to someone, but can't act gay or straight. So this notion that only gay actors should play gay characters? That only a Cuban actor should play Desi?" Sorkin explained. "Honestly, I think it's the mother of all empty gestures and a bad idea."

Sorkin also told the outlet that he was saddened by the reaction to his casting of Bardem. "It's heartbreaking, and a little chilling to see members of the artistic community resegregating ourselves," he said.

Sorkin's explanation was also met with pushback on social media.

"Aaron Sorkin doesn't understand that it's not about only gay actors playing gay characters or only Cubans playing Desi. It's about underrepresented communities having an opportunity to take a part in the stories being told with an authenticity others don't understand. Simple," editor and podcast host Lyra Hale commented on Twitter.

Hale went on to accuse Sorkin of "making excuses" regarding the casting to avoid discussing representation, claiming that the filmmaker only "wants to have his way and get people to watch his movie."

However, some Twitter users also defended the casting. "I don’t agree that Spaniards are getting more opportunities than Latinos, but just to further the discussion, shouldn’t we be taking ethnicity out of it? Who cares where you’re from if you fit the role," one person wrote.

Bardem, 52, previously spoke about playing Arnaz in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, saying, "I'm an actor, and that's what I do for a living: try to be people that I'm not."

He pointed out Meryl Streep, who portrayed former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in "The Iron Lady," and English actor Daniel Day-Lewis, who took on the role of President Abraham Lincoln in 2012's "Lincoln," as examples of actors whose castings were not questioned.

However, Bardem later acknowledged in an email to the publication that "there are many underrepresented voices and stories that need to be told, and we should collectively do better to provide access and opportunities for more American Latino stories and storytellers."

"Being the Ricardos," which Sorkin wrote and directed, is set during a week of filming "I Love Lucy," as the couple is "threatened by shocking personal accusations, a political smear and cultural taboos," according to the film's official description. Ball and Arnaz were married in 1940 and divorced in 1960.

"Being the Ricardos" is now playing in select theaters and streaming on Amazon Prime Video.