Leonardo DiCaprio has done a number of contentious roles throughout his career, but reports that he is being considered for the role of Jalaluddin al-Rumi, a 13th-century Persian poet and Islamic scholar, has sparked fury on social media.

Stephen Joel Brown will finance the film, and both David Franzoni and Stephen Joel are rumored to want Leonardo DiCaprio to play the world-famous poet.

By putting “a face and a story” to the Sufi philosopher whose epic poetry has been translated into many languages and remains “hugely popular” in the United States, Franzoni intends to “challenge the stereotypical portrayal of Muslim characters in western cinema.”

The producers intend to cast Robert Downey Jr. in the role of Shams, a key figure in Rumi’s life.

Talking about Rumi, Franzoni said, “He’s like Shakespeare. He’s a character who has enormous talent and worth to his society and his people, and obviously resonates today. Those people are always worth exploring.”

Rumi’s lessons and encounter with Shams, who suddenly vanished and inspired much of the former’s love poetry, will be the subject of the film. Rumi’s daughter Kimya, who some think married Shams, will also be portrayed.

Rumours that DiCaprio is a contender for the role of Rumi have sparked outrage on social media, with many eager to point out the apparent whitewashing at work, prompting the creation of the hashtag #RumiWasntWhite.

“Omg I thought people were joking about the casting in this film,” one person tweeted under the hashtag #RumiWasntWhite. “White people ruin Ramadan 2016 by announcing their ‘Rumi’ movie,” wrote another. “Oh nonononon nooooooooooooooooooo,” said a third, before adding “HOLLYWOOD YOU’VE GONE TOO FAR.” in all capital letters.

“Leonardo DiCaprio as Rumi! Seriously? another person asked.

Another user wrote, “Hollywood insists that people only want movies w/ white actors, the reality is *they* only want movies w/ white actors. #RumiWasntWhite.”

‘Don’t “challenge Muslim stereotypes” by trying to change fact and history #RumiWasntWhite,’a user added.

Though the fury is raging on Twitter like Kanye West fans outside Webster Hall, it’s worth noting that DiCaprio has yet to be cast in the role.

If Franzoni and Brown’s casting requests are granted, it will not be the first time that white performers play Middle Eastern characters. Gods of Egypt, starring Danish actor Nikolaj Coster-Waldau and Scottish actor Gerard Butler as Egyptian gods and Australian actor Brenton Thwaites as an Egyptian human, was released in 2016. In 2014, Welsh actor Christian Bale played the prophet Moses, whereas Jake Gyllenhaal portrayed the main character in The Prince of Persia in 2010. The bulk of these films were box office flops.