Hollywood director refuses money to replace actor with Down's syndrome

During a new interview, Tyler Nilson, the director of “Peanut Butter Falcon” revealed he was offered more money to replace the movie’s lead actor, Zack Gottsagen, who has Down syndrome, for someone able-bodied with a “more marketable face,” highlighting the discrimination disabled actors face in Hollywood.


Daily Mail reports that the cast, Zack Gottsagen, was asked to be removed because he was said not to have a “marketable face”. In his words:

“We were offered money if we would’ve replaced Zack but that was something for us that was a major no,” Nilson said. “We were told the movie we made with starring somebody with Down syndrome, we were told that this would not be marketable, that people wouldn’t go see it in theaters, that a lot of streaming services wouldn’t pick it up because they said he’s not a marketable face.”

In the film "Peanut Butter Falcon" Gottsagen played the role of a young man who runs away from his nursing home to pursue his dreams of becoming a professional wrestler.

The director said his bosses were not of the conviction that the film would would not be good for business with his face as the lead character, offering to give him a bigger budget if he could switch Gottsagen which Nilson rightly refused. Siting his directing partner, Michael Schwartz and himself

created “Peanut Butter Falcon” with Gottsagen in mind. They saw him perform at an acting camp and were reminded how few acting roles were available for people with disabilities.
Despite the grave concern the movie investors earlier showed, the $6.2 million budget movie brought in huge revenue of $16.8 million and the lead role has been suggested for an Academy Award for the way he acted in the film.
“We hope for a lot but we expect nothing. 'It's really special people are acknowledging Zack's work it is a really special performance,” he said.
Nilson also said that he has received a lot of appreciation for the movie, and heard how people were moved to tears after they saw the movie.
He said before they got down making the movie, the prospect of Gottsagen as an actor was discussed and he performed way above expectation