Vincent D’Onofrio asked his Twitter followers on Sunday whether it would be OK for him to play an “irredeebable racist” in an upcoming project given the current political climate.

“I am going to ask a question to everyone that cares to answer it,” the actor tweeted. “Is Now the right time (considering the world in which live right now) for me to play a real to life characte [sic] who is irredeemable racist in a dramatic series?”

It’s unclear what dramatic series he is considering or why he decided to ask the hive mind for its input. A rep for D’Onofrio did not immediately respond to request for comment from TheWrap.

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I am going to ask a question to everyone that cares to answer it. I have an opinion which I will not reveal. Is Now the right time (considering the world in which live right now) for me to play a real to life characte who is irredeemable racist in a dramatic series? — Vincent D'Onofrio (@vincentdonofrio) August 11, 2018

The star, most famous for his role in Stanley Kubrick’s “Full Metal Jacket” and “Law & Order: Criminal Intent,” received thousands of replies.

Most people, including fellow Hollywood stars such as Carl Weathers, said the answer depended on the context of the part and the script itself.

Everything depends on whether you’re promoting racist behavior or illuminating its effects on society. #BePeace – Carl Weathers (@TheCarlWeathers) August 13, 2018

How much of that trepidation is based on your concerns about the project itself? Obviously the climate is different today, but I presume you wouldn’t turn down the part of an irredeemable racist in a movie like BlackkKlansman, right? If you aren’t 100% certain it’ll work, bow out – Greg (@waltisfrozen) August 13, 2018

Dude you’re ACTING, it’s your JOB to ACT as a racist in whatever series so we the audience can ascertain for ourselves WHY, this behaviour is soo abhorrent and despicable for anyone to embody in REAL LIFE…. You’ll be playing a character that no doubt exists…so go for it ! – Jimmy Darcée (@The_One1001) August 12, 2018

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Many others took D’Onfrio to task over his artistic reticence and allowing his creative expression as an actor to be compromised by the potential offense of an outraged mob.

Vince D’Onofrios a good actor and a good dude, and I don’t blame him for being cautious in today’s age. But somethings wrong in a culture where someone would feel the need to ask permission for this. https://t.co/dJtagPeLfW — Brad Pritts (@BradleyPritts) August 12, 2018

Welcome to 2018 where actors are so afraid of Internet Hate mobs they have to ask permission from their audience to play a certain character – Satsu2Undersubbed (@Satsu2Cents) August 12, 2018

Dude you’re ACTING, it’s your JOB to ACT as a racist in whatever series so we the audience can ascertain for ourselves WHY, this behaviour is soo abhorrent and despicable for anyone to embody in REAL LIFE…. You’ll be playing a character that no doubt exists…so go for it ! – Jimmy Darcée (@The_One1001) August 12, 2018

You don’t have to ask permission to do your job or what people think if a character reflects who you are…I highly doubt Robert England kills kids in their sleep, people will get over it. – Tom Connors (@ThomasConnorsJr) August 12, 2018

No. If you have to ask, you’re too scared. Let another artist who’s not do it. This is disappointing. I like your work. Never would’ve guessed you’d be one to let the mob dictate your art. – Lesbian Ron Swanson (@Rachel_L_Custer) August 12, 2018

If you won’t , I will! It’s called acting! Make believe ?! ???????? – Stan Houston (@Stan1Houston) August 12, 2018

Obviously not. As we have learned from ScarJo, if you, a non-racist, accepts this role you are taking it from the under-represented actual racists. Unless this is like ‘Who’s Line Is It Anyway?’ where the points don’t matter and the rules are made up. – Cornbread (@JerOHMee) August 12, 2018

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D’Onofrio interacted with many replies, offering his snap thoughts on the quality of various opinions in quote tweets.

“Thanks everyone. I have almost 2500 opinions and I appreciate everyone of them,” he said. “I’m going to have to make my decision in a few days. You all have been extremely helpful. More then I could imagine. Peace”

He also explained that he was not motivated by political correctness or a hesitancy to play a villain. “I’m deeply effected by racism,” he said. “Not deeply effected by what’s PC&what’s not. Never hve been.Yet when it comes2racism&hate toward our brothers&sisters in the LBGTQ communities it hurts. Makes me step back. Makes me take a specific look into what I stand4&how i can fight4thier rights.”

In another tweet, he noted that he was less concerned with his own performance than the story itself. “Is it at this point in time dangerous?” he asked. “Considering the rise of racism. The ugly normalization of it.”

W/all due respect it's not my performance I'm concerned about it's the story telling .Is it at this point in time dangerous?Considering the rise of racism.The ugly normalization of it.

Now more then ever we need 2pick a side.I want2protect the marginalized&educate those at fault. https://t.co/NLXhcuPPIj — Vincent D'Onofrio (@vincentdonofrio) August 12, 2018

Thanks everyone. I have almost 2500 opinions and I appreciate everyone of them. I'm going to have to make my decision in a few days. You all have been extremely helpful. More then I could imagine. Peace https://t.co/f3LM9mgIIy — Vincent D'Onofrio (@vincentdonofrio) August 12, 2018

W/all due respect it's not my performance I'm concerned about it's the story telling .Is it at this point in time dangerous?Considering the rise of racism.The ugly normalization of it.

Now more then ever we need 2pick a side.I want2protect the marginalized&educate those at fault. https://t.co/NLXhcuPPIj — Vincent D'Onofrio (@vincentdonofrio) August 12, 2018