Hollywood director David Franzoni is set to start casting for a film based on the life of 13^th-century Persian poet Rumi. Known for his directorial role for the 2000 film Gladiator, which was celebrated as one of the most historically accurate portrayals of the Roman Empire, expectations for Franzoni’s interpretation were high. That is until he mentioned Leonardo DiCaprio was being considered for the film’s lead role.

The Oscar winning actor will definitely attract audiences, but does mass appeal justify the continuation of Hollywood’s xenophobia and racism?

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First posted on SHEmagazine.ca on June 7, 2016.