A group of Peter Pan fans have launched an online petition to convince the producers of the Peter Pan prequel to drop Rooney Mara as princess Tiger Lily.
The protesters are upset Mara, who starred in the US film version of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, has been cast to play a character of Native American origin.
They say their initial complaint was met with an unapologetic comeback by Warner Bros studio bosses.
"They said a black actress and a French actress were first considered for the role," says the post on ThePetitionSite.com.
"This casting choice is particularly shameful for a children's movie.
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"Telling children their role models must all be white is unacceptable.
"Tell Warner Bros to stop casting white actors to play characters originally written as people of color!"
Variety.com has reported Oscar winner Lupita Nyong'o and 20-year-old French actress Adele Exarchopoulos were considered for the Tiger Lily role before it was offered to Mara.
The petition against her casting has garnered more than over 4500 signatures since its launch on Tuesday.
Pan will also star Australian actor Hugh Jackman in the role of pirate Blackbeard.
Garrett Hedlund will play Captain Hook and newcomer Levi Miller has been cast as Peter Pan.
The film is set to hit theatres in 2015.
