LOS ANGELES — “Gods of Egypt” director Alex Proyas apologized for casting mostly white actors in his upcoming film based on Egyptian mythology.

The filmmaker and studio Lionsgate issued separate statements on Friday acknowledging the controversy sparked by the release of the film’s first trailer two weeks ago, featuring a cast led by Scottish actor Gerard Butler and Danish actor Nikolaj Coster-Waldau.

Australian director Proyas, who was born in Egypt, said it is clear that their casting choices should have been more diverse.

Lionsgate also said they are deeply committed to making films that reflect the diversity of their audiences and pledged to do better.

“Gods of Egypt” also stars actor Chadwick Boseman, an African American, and actress Elodie Yung, who is French-Cambodian.

This self-aware response, issued well in advance of the film’s Feb. 26 release, comes on the heels of recent whitewashing controversies surrounding films like “Exodus: Gods and Kings,” and “Aloha.”

“Selma” director Ava DuVernay took note of the anomaly on Twitter.

“This kind of apology never happens — for something that happens all the time,” wrote DuVernay on Friday. “An unusual occurrence worth noting.”