Roommates, Couples Retreat was released more than 10 years ago, but it looks like Faizon Love still isn’t pleased with how Universal has treated him over the years.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Faizon filed a lawsuit against Universal, saying that he was “aghast” when he saw that he and his co-star Kali Hawk were removed from movie poster overseas. Universal reportedly apologized when the poster was first released, but Faizon says his career has not advanced since.
“They have not only hurt me financially, they have hurt me in a deeper way by dismissing because of my Blackness–and they have hurt all Black performers by continuing to perpetuate racism in the movie industry,” Faizon said. “I want to ensure that future generations don’t have to endure the racism and whitewashing that I have experienced.”
Faizon says that along with their apology, the higher ups at Universal promised him “lucrative, career-making film roles”, which never happened. Faizon is also accusing the movie’s lead actor of attempting to decrease his rage, with the lawsuit claiming that he “went so far as to tell Mr. Love that making a big deal about his removal from the poster would not be good for his career.”
“Rather than enjoy maximum visibility with the film’s release, Mr. Love was demoted to the proverbial ‘Invisible Man,'” the lawsuit said. “Although Couples Retreat achieved a first-place box office opening weekend ranking, and went on a spectacular run that grossed more than $171 million worldwide, Universal Studios placed Mr. Love in the back seat of the ride enjoyed by his six White costars.”
How are y’all feelin’ about this, Roomies?
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