Black people playing Norse gods

[Jonluw]

I am actually extremely annoyed that these people decide to cast a man who doesn't look a bit like the part to play Heimdal. I find it fucking ridiculous that they need to alter my cultural heritage in order to have the cast better represent the ethnic diversity in modern day North-America.

I sincerely doubt thats the reason they casted him, more likely they put out a casting call for actors, "no race specified" as MovieBob pointed out. They had a whole hoard of auditions and the best one was Idris Elba, a fantastic actor (if you've seen the wire you'd know). Then instead of turning him down because his race was wrong, they figured "hey, he's the best actor and it's a relatively minor part, what's the worst that could happen?"

Well, I personally don't think it matters if someone is a great actor or not if they do not look the part. Noone would cast Brian Steele to play "Mini me" in the next Austin Powers movie. Why? Because he is six feet, seven inches tall.

But as I said: Ultimately, I don't care. It's a Hollywood movie based off a comic book. They're not claiming to accurately portray my cultural heritage.

 

[DTWolfwood]

Im all about continuity. If the comics never had a black man playing a character, I don't see a reason y they would do this and cause undo controversy for themselves. As if us Minorities will cry foul that a Movie about Thor and loosely based on NORSE mythology has an all white cast <.<

O lordy lordy the movie is white washed!

/facepalm

Still think its a marketing ploy more than anything. At the end of the day "there is no such thing as bad publicity"

Having never read any Thor Comic, it doesn't matter to me one way or another. Plus the man looks like he is playing a minor but critical character. Like TRON in the TRON movies XD

 

[KSarty]

Its a double standard. Why is it perfectly reasonable to want an asian actor to play an asian character, or a middle eastern actor to play the Prince of Persia, but then racist to want a white person to play a white character?

Beyond that, why do they WANT a black actor playing the character? Will the movie be better because of it?

 

[WolfThomas]

Well, I personally don't think it matters if someone is a great actor or not if they do not look the part. Noone would cast Brian Steele to play "Mini me" in the next Austin Powers movie. Why? Because he is six feet, seven inches tall.

But as I said: Ultimately, I don't care. It's a Hollywood movie based off a comic book. They're not claiming to accurately portray my cultural heritage.

While I'm all for people looking the part, this is such a very minor role, that I'm honestly more concerned about how they portray his helmet that his actual skin colour.

Spoiler: This is what he's portrayed as in the comics

He never takes the helmet off and his face is perpetually shrouded in shadow. The helmet is the real star, not the actor here.

Still think its a marketing ploy more than anything. At the end of the day "there is no such thing as bad publicity"

Having never read any Thor Comic, it doesn't matter to be one way or another. Plus the man looks like he is playing a minor but critical character. Like TRON in the TRON movies XD

I agree it's fantastic publicity, people are talking about it on lots of different forums, the issues been bought up in Penny Arcade. But at the end of the day we're all talkin' Thor and that's good publicity.

But yeah I don't think Heimdall is going to be critical in any real manner, basically his job is to guard the bifrost bridge (a more masculine name for a rainbow) and spout vague prophecy. So we might have one of the latter and perhaps a moment where Heimdall refuses Thor entry (at the start) or grants him entry (at the end). That the maximum amount of screentime possible for him.

Beyond that, why do they WANT a black actor playing the character? Will the movie be better because of it?

One assumes they didn't go out of their way to pick a black actor (unless it is a shameless publicity stunt), that rather he was the best of everyone that auditioned.

 

[Fraught]

Thor is a comicbook superhero based on Norse mythology, it IS NOT Norse mythology. End.

For hundreds of years Jesus was drawn as tall white guy with blond flowing hair and pale skin, when he probably was a short guy with dark curly hair and very tanned skin.

That is completely irrelevant. We're in the now and here, bringing examples from history isn't going to help your case.

And when it's "based" on Norse mythology, there's got to be something it based itself on? Like how about having the Gods the same colour as the people that thought up/worshipped the religion they were a part of?

And besides, was there a black-skinned God in the Thor comicbooks? If no, then that just says it right there.

 

[Jonluw]

Well, I personally don't think it matters if someone is a great actor or not if they do not look the part. Noone would cast Brian Steele to play "Mini me" in the next Austin Powers movie. Why? Because he is six feet, seven inches tall.

But as I said: Ultimately, I don't care. It's a Hollywood movie based off a comic book. They're not claiming to accurately portray my cultural heritage.

While I'm all for people looking the part, this is such a very minor role, that I'm honestly more concerned about how they portray his helmet that his actual skin colour.

Spoiler: This is what he's portrayed as in the comics

He never takes the helmet off and his face is perpetually shrouded in shadow. The helmet is the real star, not the actor here.

As I said: I don't find the issue important at all. I just find it silly, that's all. The norse people are supposed to be as aryan as can be, and then they cast a black guy as one of them? Wait what? It doesn't matter if he's a side character or not. They might as well cast a black man as Thor for all the sense it makes.

 

[008Zulu_v1legacy]

...that they're not shapeshifters?

Unless you're suggesting they blacked up. With paint.

They're Gods, they got all the power in the world to do as they please.

 

[DTWolfwood]

Spoiler: chop

Well, I personally don't think it matters if someone is a great actor or not if they do not look the part. Noone would cast Brian Steele to play "Mini me" in the next Austin Powers movie. Why? Because he is six feet, seven inches tall.

But as I said: Ultimately, I don't care. It's a Hollywood movie based off a comic book. They're not claiming to accurately portray my cultural heritage.

While I'm all for people looking the part, this is such a very minor role, that I'm honestly more concerned about how they portray his helmet that his actual skin colour.

Spoiler: This is what he's portrayed as in the comics

He never takes the helmet off and his face is perpetually shrouded in shadow. The helmet is the real star, not the actor here.

Still think its a marketing ploy more than anything. At the end of the day "there is no such thing as bad publicity"

Having never read any Thor Comic, it doesn't matter to be one way or another. Plus the man looks like he is playing a minor but critical character. Like TRON in the TRON movies XD

I agree it's fantastic publicity, people are talking about it on lots of different forums, the issues been bought up in Penny Arcade. But at the end of the day we're all talkin' Thor and that's good publicity.

But yeah I don't think Heimdall is going to be critical in any real manner, basically his job is to guard the bifrost bridge (a more masculine name for a rainbow) and spout vague prophecy. So we might have one of the latter and perhaps a moment where Heimdall refuses Thor entry (at the start) or grants him entry (at the end). That the maximum amount of screentime possible for him.

Beyond that, why do they WANT a black actor playing the character? Will the movie be better because of it?

One assumes they didn't go out of their way to pick a black actor (unless it is a shameless publicity stunt), that rather he was the best of everyone that auditioned.

So if the god's face is always shrouded in shadow then i guess getting a black man would let them more easily shroud his face eh! XD

 

[Hawgh]

I've got other issues with Marvel's misuse of my childhood stories than the colour of their bloody actors.

 

[John the Gamer]

black gods work just fine; Morgan Freeman in the Almighty movies.

He was awesome as god. Really brought the 'character' to life.

Fuck you racists.

 

[WolfThomas]

As I said: I don't find the issue important at all. I just find it silly, that's all. The norse people are supposed to be as aryan as can be, and then they cast a black guy as one of them? Wait what? It doesn't matter if he's a side character or not. They might as well cast a black man as Thor for all the sense it makes.

I agree it's a little silly in this particular case being Norse gods, but I think there's a huge difference between an important main character and a minor bit part. If they cast a black actor as Thor or Captain America (unless it was a portrayal of Isiah Bradley) I'd first in the line of people decrying the movie (hell I'd probably even skip it like I intend to X-men : First Class). But this guy is well...not important.

Also in the Marvel Universe, there is already a (honourary) Asgardian who is Mongolian in appearance. Also all of the other god pantheons (Greek, Egyptian, Inuit, etc) exist. So some sort of excuse could be made as to his ethnicity, (i.e. Odin got freaky with an african god).

So if the god's face is always shrouded in shadow then i guess getting a black man would let them more easily shroud his face eh! XD

Heh, pretty much. But seriously of all the Asgardian heroes, he would be the hardest to describe without refering to costume, that's why I let this casting slide. I honestly have no idea what Heimdall looks like and I've been reading Thor for sometime now.

 

[trophykiller]

Who cares if he's black, white, brown, or purple? If he's a good actor, I really don't care.

Also, not trying to sound rude, but why are normal people suddenly caring what the KKK thinks?The most vile, evil people on earth suddenly get the right to be offended? Please, someone explain!

 

[spookydom]

Don't understand why anybody would care?......Well unless you still belive in the Norse religion or you are a total racist.

 

[No_Remainders]

That's not exactly what I was asking. I asked about how people might feel if a white man was chosen to play an African god. I don't care about the current situation; it does not matter to me if Thor is a comic book or not.

Eh, I think there would be an uproar if a white guy was cast as an African god figure. Especially with the implications that would bring up. <_<

See Amun, Horus, Isis and Osiris. [http://www.historyonthenet.com/shop/images/Display/egygga3.jpg]

In other words, they've already been portrayed plenty of times as being white.

OT: There isn't any problem having a black guy play a Norse god, just like there wouldn't be any problem having a white guy play an Egyptian one.

 

[Jonluw]

As I said: I don't find the issue important at all. I just find it silly, that's all. The norse people are supposed to be as aryan as can be, and then they cast a black guy as one of them? Wait what? It doesn't matter if he's a side character or not. They might as well cast a black man as Thor for all the sense it makes.

Also in the Marvel Universe, there is already a (honourary) Asgardian who is Mongolian in appearance.

What is the name of this god? I'd like to look him/her up, because it could be that you are confusing Mongolian with Sami people, who are Scandinavian minorities. They are basically the Native Americans of Scandinavia. They're a finno-ugric people (I think); and might have some similarities with Mongolians when it comes to appearance.

 

[WolfThomas]

You know at the end of the day, this is worth just to piss of the Neo Nazis who love all things Norse (I'm assuming Norse-Pagans and Scandinavians are reasonable and willing to accept a minor change in something only based on their religion/culture).

What is the name of this god? I'd like to look him up, because it could be that you are confusing Mongolian with Sami people, who are Scandinavian minorities. They are basically the Native Americans of Scandinavia. They're a finno-ugric people (I think); and might have some similarities with Mongolians when it comes to appearance.

Hmmm, I'd never thought of that. His name is Hogun the Grim. The wiki says he's not an Aesir (though they use it the context of "Asgardian", not the whole Aesir/Vanir thing) and that's about it.

 

[No_Remainders]

I am actually extremely annoyed that these people decide to cast a man who doesn't look a bit like the part to play Heimdal. I find it fucking ridiculous that they need to alter my cultural heritage in order to have the cast better represent the ethnic diversity in modern day North-America.

...

Your "cultural heritage"?
I'm sorry, what?
Not trying to sound offensive, but really? It's a Hollywood movie based on a comic book based VERY LOOSELY on Norse Mythology.

So, no, that's just stupid of you.

 

[Lilani]

As long as he's an good and entertaining character, I wouldn't care if they cast an Oompa Loompa to play him.

And besides--expecting Hollywood to accurately interpret anything is expecting a lot. If your enjoyment of a movie hinges on its unwavering standard of realism, I'm afraid I have some bad news for you.