IMPACT ON AUDIENCE 

Whitewashing in live-action remakes has a particularly harmful impact on audiences because it directly alters the representation of cultural stories and characters and often erases the original stories very essence. In these remakes, ethnic characters or stories deeply rooted in specific cultures are sometimes reimagined with white actors or even a predominantly white cast. Whitewashing not only diminishes the cultural significance of the story but also sends a damaging message that people from diverse backgrounds are not worthy of seeing their identities and histories authentically represented on screen. For viewers who are part of these communities, whitewashed remakes can be alienating. They are forced to watch narratives that should speak to their experiences but are filtered through what Hollywood deems as appropriate, which is often just through a Western or "white" lens.

This form of whitewashing reinforces the idea that stories involving non-white characters are only marketable when they are adjusted to be more "universal," meaning that these actors are more aligned with mainstream, Western ideals. It can raise the harmful notion that audiences from marginalized backgrounds are less interested in or capable of engaging with culturally specific stories unless those stories are altered to fit Western norms. By erasing cultural authenticity in this way, the original stories lose their depth and complexity and are reduced to simplified versions, typically intended for a wider, and frequently white audience. 

  Whitewashing in live-action remakes also denies ethnic actors the opportunity to represent their own cultures on screen. Historically, Hollywood has underrepresented people of color both in front of and behind the camera, and this practice continues to cater to that systemic exclusion. By casting white actors in roles meant for characters of color, studios are creating barriers for actors of color. This lack of opportunity has long-term impacts such as discouraging diverse actors from entering the industry, while also robbing audiences of authentic portrayals of their culture. For young viewers of color, these whitewashed portrayals can signal that they are not as valuable or worthy of leading roles. For other audiences that may not be a part of these communities, they may miss out on multi-dimensional characters and stories that could challenge their perspectives.