James Dean was just the best actor for the role

South African Director Anton Ernst is baffled by the backlash over plans to cast a CGI James Dean in a Vietnam War dog movie. From The Hollywood Reporter:

When searching for an actor to play Rogan, Ernst said he and his co-director did audition live actors. They ultimately decided Dean was the perfect fit for the role, as Rogan is a "very brilliant, complex character" which is "pretty much how James Dean was perceived."

Ernst has directed one movie now in post-production. He's produced thirteen not counting those in pre- or post-production. All seem to be South African. One was an international production starring  Jean-Claude Van Damme.

I don't think he knows how acting works.

His movies have all been pretty cheap. The Van Damme movie was $14 million, but the others where they list the budgets were all under $2 million. So I don't think this thing is going to be very good.

So far, James Dean is the only "actor" listed for this abomination on IMDb.com.