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People Are Suggesting Who Could Play Luke Cage After Mike Colter's Ariana Grande Comment

"Is Michael Jai White busy?"

Luke Cage actor Mike Colter has issued an apology following the backlash to a tweet in which he suggested that the bishop who touched Ariana Grande was "shooting his shot."

Hello all. I apologize about my tweet earlier. In no way do I condone any such behavior. It was intended to point out the absurdity of the act itself. Complete and biting sarcasm. I realized quickly that it was not taken as such. I was at an event all day. Sorry for the delay🙏🏿

The 42-year-old actor, who plays the lead role in the Netflix series, took to Twitter hours after sending out the now deleted tweet, in an attempt to explain his original post. He said it was intended to be "biting sarcasm."

He had posted his comment in response to an original tweet by Daily Show host Trevor Noah, where he questioned the placement of presiding Bishop Charles' hand on Ariana Grande's body.

Bishop Charles H. Ellis III, who led Aretha Franklin's funeral, was accused of making the "God is a woman" singer visibly uncomfortable following her performance at Franklin's grand farewell.

When asked about the incident, the bishop apologised in an interview with the Associated Press. He said: "It would never be my intention to touch any woman's breast... I don't know, I guess I put my arm around her. Maybe I crossed the border, maybe I was too friendly or familiar but, again, I apologise."

The actor explained his original tweet and apologised for not addressing it sooner. He wrote: “It was intending to point out the absurdity of the act itself. Complete and biting sarcasm. I realized quickly that it was not taken as such. I was at an event all day. Sorry for the delay.”

The apology went down well with some people.

@realmikecolter Keep in mind that a lot of people have been defending this preacher. And perhaps, Mike read the defenses and made a sarcastic response out of anger and frustration, as we tend to. Mike has spoken out in defense of minorities and women many times. This is obviously sarcasm.

@realmikecolter I saw the tweet & it seemed "off" from what you usually post, so I figured it was sarcasm. But it did hurt people, so thanks for apologizing

@realmikecolter It’s sad people can’t recognize a sarcastic joke.

But not so well with others.

@realmikecolter This is such a lie. And if it isn’t then you’re ridiculously tone deaf and don’t empathize with people in distress. So which is it?

@realmikecolter Has the definition of sarcasm changed in the past 24 hours or...........?

And for those who are definitely not here for Colter, the damage has already been done and they have ideas about who they think could play the indestructible Marvel hero.

@realmikecolter I hope they replace you with Terry Crews

Mike Colter be out here tweeting stupid like Terry Crews can’t come in and play Luke Cage infinitely better than he can

@insanityreport Terry Crews would be an excellent choice. I wouldn't mind Sean Blakemore taking the role. I don't know if he has a gig now that the Quad is over. https://t.co/gN1BoBwLii

Mike Colter really tweets like Marvel won’t replace him with Tyrese and act like nothing happened

@realmikecolter Is Michael Jai White busy?????

Mike Colter acting like Marvel won’t replace him with Don Cheadle and keep it pushing.

BuzzFeed News has reached out to Netflix for comment.