Critics Say Will Smith Isn’t Dark Enough to Play Serena and Venus Williams’ Father in “King Richard”

According to Deadline, actor Will Smith was just named to play the role of tennis stars Serena and Venus Williams’ father in the upcoming film “King Richard.”

EXCLUSIVE Report by Deadline:

Even though there were no major tennis tournaments last weekend, the minds of industry leaders were courtside anyway. They were reading King Richard, a spec script by Zach Baylin that has Will Smith poised to play Richard Williams. He is the father of Venus and Serena Williams. Despite having no tennis background, he overcame tremendous hardship, skepticism and his own troubled past to raise two of the game’s greatest players. When his daughters were around the age of four, Richard Williams drew up a 78-page plan for their professional tennis careers. He began giving them tennis lessons and the girls learned the game on cracked, weedy public courts in Compton, reportedly after their father brawled with young toughs who were not fans of the sport and would not make way. The Williams sisters went on to become two of the greatest female players in tennis history, with Serena arguably the best ever, with 23 Grand Slam tournament wins. Venus Williams has won seven Grand Slam titles.

Serena and Venus with their father coach back in the days. The girls begin playing tennis as young as 4-years old.

Once the word was out that Will Smith was set to play the role of the Grand Slam winners’ father, the folks went IN! They are not happy with this casting. Here’s a few of the comments:

Although some people were very vocal about this casting, there were many equally as loud in defending the star… including actor Louis Gossett, Jr.

Others were even providing suggestions of other actors for the role.

Well, first folks were mad because he wasn’t blue enough (Genie from Aladdin), now they’re upset because he isn’t dark enough. Will can’t catch a break. What are your thoughts, Knowsies? Is Will a good fit for this role? Leave a comment below.