Cameron Crowe says don't blame Emma.
Director Cameron Crowe is acknowledging all the criticism surrounding his controversial Aloha casting choice.
Although actress Emma Stone is one of the most well-liked actresses in Hollywood, plenty of critics thought her casting as the Allison Ng -- whose father is supposed to be of half-Chinese and half-Hawaiian descent and her mother Swedish -- was a misguided one. In the film, Allison's ethnicity is also emphasized in a number of scenes, her Hawaiian pedigree being a big part of the role.
Not surprisingly, some felt Crowe should have hired an actress at least in the genetic ballpark of being half-Asian, or not emphasize the character's race so much given that he cast the blonde-haired, green-eyed Emma.
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The Almost Famous director apologized on Tuesday.
"I have heard your words and your disappointment, and I offer you a heart-felt apology to all who felt this was an odd or misguided casting choice," Crowe wrote in an essay on his website.
He also explained the origin of the character, claiming that Allison was not supposed to look traditionally Asian.
"Captain Allison Ng was written to be a super-proud ¼ Hawaiian who was frustrated that, by all outward appearances, she looked nothing like one," he explained. "A half-Chinese father was meant to show the surprising mix of cultures often prevalent in Hawaii. Extremely proud of her unlikely heritage, she feels personally compelled to over-explain every chance she gets. The character was based on a real-life, red-headed local who did just that."
He stressed that any criticism of the casting choice rests on him, and not the 26-year-old Birdman star.
"We were extremely proud to present the island, the locals and the film community with many jobs for over four months," he says about filming Aloha in Hawaii. "Emma Stone was chief among those who did tireless research, and if any part of her fine characterization has caused consternation and controversy, I am the one to blame."
Aloha, which hit theaters on May 29, has been a clear critical bomb, with Variety calling it Crowe's "unquestionably worst film." Currently, it has just an 18 percent approval-rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
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ET caught up with Bradley Cooper in April, when he talked about reuniting with Rachel McAdams for the film, a decade after their memorable Wedding Crashers roles. Watch below:
