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An Oscar-nominated screenwriter David Franzoni has signed on to pen a biopic about 13th-century Persian poet Jalal al-Din Rumi. He would like to cast Leonardo DiCaprio as Jalal al-Din Rumi and Robert Downing Jr as Shams of Tabriz.

“Rumi is hugely popular in the United States. I think it [making this film] gives him a face and a story,” Franzoni said.

Many people were outraged when they heard about the potential casting of white actors in the Rumi movie.

Producers of @Rumi biopic want @LeoDeCaprio to play the great Persian Muslim poet. One problem: #RumiWasntWhite

— Stephen Kinzer (@stephenkinzer) June 8, 2025

no muslim country or people will accept white washing our history #RumiWasntWhite yu mean asian/afghan man is not in America

— Mo Ali Mire (@youngmire2) June 8, 2025

My fav line out of the #RumiWasntWhite saga:
"I'm not white" ~ Rumi proverb https://t.co/aKpyMnoPeC

— Mohamed Taha (@Mo_Taha1) June 8, 2025

"Hollywood would whitewash even the greenest blade of grass, the darkest night, and the deepest, blue ocean." -#RumiQuotes #RumiWasntWhite

— Hind Makki (@HindMakki) June 7, 2025

remember when idris elba wasn't "english enough" to play james bond, but it's chill if leo dicaprio plays rumi #RumiWasntWhite

— a a m i n a (@aaminasdfghjkl) June 7, 2025

YOU GET SOUTH ASIANS N MIDDLE EASTERNERS 2 PLAY TERRORIST #3 BUT WHITE PEOPLE 2 PLAY ACTUAL MUSLIM HISTORICAL FIGURES #RumiWasntWhite

— Mohammed Haidar (@Arshloc) June 7, 2025

Racists get so mad when a FICTIONAL character eg hermione is made black but they're fine whitewashing REAL PEOPLE??? Ok #RumiWasntWhite

— Chlo Dameron (@Marmite___) June 7, 2025

this is whitewashing at it's finest and it's taking roles away from muslim actors i'm so disgusted #RumiWasntWhite pic.twitter.com/NzST0f2EOK

— trisha (@katmcnmara) June 7, 2025

So they want a white man to play Rumi, a SUFI PERSIAN poet, but when they need a terrorist they find Muslim actors so easily #RumiWasntWhite

— Aayesha (@AayeshaJ) June 7, 2025

Rumi was born in Balkh, Afghanistan. He was Afghan. Hollywood, get it right if you are gonna make a film. #RumiWasntWhite

— mariamamini (@mariamamini) June 7, 2025

“It gives him a face & a story.” A film that would give Rumi the face of Leo DiCaprio, really? #RumiWasntWhite https://t.co/acZoVS1YF9

— Aliya Karim (@alumalu) June 7, 2025

Don't "challenge Muslim stereotypes" by trying to change fact and history #RumiWasntWhite

— Khushii (@____Zugzwang) June 6, 2025

Travelled for ten days and ten nights over land and sea. Came to a pool of water that reflected the moon but still #RumiWasntWhite

— Raf (@1Rafz) June 6, 2025

Hollywood, can you not?