Hollywood directors, producers, and major stars are starting to speak up about the ludicrous new mandate that any film entering the Best Picture competition must meet quotas as to race, gender, sexual orientation and disability status of their film’s cast and crew members. The Academy doesn’t call it quotas, of course, but that is what it is.

It’s affirmative action on steroids at a time when the need for affirmative action is waning (some of us think that time came long ago) and Hollywood elites are trying to hold on to all the power they can. In this case, though, one director said it makes the whole process seem contrived. No kidding. It feels contrived because it is contrived. A prime example, off the top of my head, is how some historical characters have suddenly changed their race in recent productions. For instance, Netflix’s “Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story.” Queen Charlotte is a British monarch and she is black. It is a mini-series that is a spin-off of the highly successful “Bridgerton” franchise. There is a quick disclaimer at the beginning that states, “It is not a history lesson. It is fiction inspired by fact.” The question is, why? Why do it other than to meet some quota system imposed on Hollywood productions?

While Queen Charlotte — aka (formerly) Princess Sophia Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz — was certainly real, the character of Charlotte, is Rhimes’ creation. “We’re very clear about this world and … that this is not a history lesson. This is fiction inspired by fact,” the creator and executive producer told Netflix. “It’s very important to me that people understand that, because I’m telling the story of Queen Charlotte of Bridgerton, not of Queen Charlotte of England.” The story was created by Shonda Rhimes, a liberal writer and producer and executive who has such shows as “Grey’s Anatomy” currently on television. The real Queen Charlotte was the wife of King George III. The story of Netflix’s version of Queen Charlotte and her almost 60-year-long marriage to King George was based on the true historical person. Why wasn’t that good enough? Because the real queen was white? Apparently, so. The fictional queen is black. Bridgerton is not a real place.

I admit to being a fan of the Bridgerton series and of the Queen Charlotte series, too. However, it is a bit jarring to see so many historically-based characters played by actors of other ethnicities.

“It’s completely ridiculous,” one director said during an interview with The Post.

“I’m for diversity, but to make you cast certain types of people if you want to get nominated? That makes the whole process contrived. The person who is right for the part should get the part. Why should you be limited in your choices? But it’s the world we’re in. This is crazy.”

Now, the Bridgerton series isn’t going to go for Best Picture because it isn’t a stand-alone film but you get the picture. Is it too far-fetched to think that the other categories of awards, like for best series, will also be affected? Movie producers and directors have to submit a dossier to the Academy beginning in 2024 that provides proof that the film meets the specific requirements for race, gender, sexual orientation, and disability status among cast and crew members.

Last month I wrote about Richard Dreyfuss and his reaction to the new requirements. He’s not a fan. “They make me want to vomit.” ‘Nuff said.

It is reported that one of Hollywood’s biggest producers also spoke out about the new diversity rules and said that “very few people in the industry favor” the guidelines. No one is publicly speaking out (except Dreyfuss) about it, though, because they are afraid of cancel culture. “Imagine if great films were not made because of studio or corporate mandates that every film has to conform to the standard for a Best Picture nomination?” the director added. Exactly.

Under the new mandate, movies like “The Godfather” and “Schindler’s List” likely would not be made. What is the point of claiming to fight for equality when what is really being demanded is special treatment? It is no coincidence that the 2023 Academy Award winner in the Best Picture category met the new mandate. “Everything Everywhere All a Once” was the winner.

One executive summed it up nicely.

“I want to be inclusive, but I don’t want to put in a person from a certain ethnic group who doesn’t belong there because of the story being told. And I don’t want to make a movie with an LGBT character who does not make sense with the narrative. You can’t do this without hurting the movie. It’s ridiculous to be told what to do at the expense of getting people into movie theaters.”

Too bad he doesn’t have the courage of his convictions and the spine to say so with his name attached to his statement. To answer the question if it will matter that some are speaking out now anonymously, the answer is no. Nothing will change until enough people come together and speak out publicly. Backlash is starting – finally – against the travesty of demanding that trans athletes compete in women’s sports and the same will have to begin in other areas, too.