Would you mind black actors portraying superheroes who are normally white?

[Sexual Harassment Panda]

My only fear is that it would be used as a chance to preach about racism, I know they would be aiming to make a big statement, but I have a feeling it would come out more like Saved-By-The-Bell. And that is what would screw the film up.

Give me a black Batman(I love Batman), it doesn't make that much of a difference to me. That is, until Batman's struggles with racism suddenly become instrumental to his character...

Take the step Hollywood, but do it with dignity.

 

[Lynxan]

In the long run, I couldn't care less, but I also like a lot of movies that many think are complete junk so I'm probably not the best judge.

Race is rarely going to make me thing more or less about who is playing in any sort of movie, but unless you really are trying to take a different take on the material.

I honestly thought that having the Spiderman for the reboot being black would have been a interesting idea and would have made it easier to separate it from the first 3 movies.

I honestly think that the most important thing that any movie company has to think of when they want to make this sort of change is that these caricatures have established fans and since that's a good about to what your playing to, you might not want to piss them off, making changes like that a rather bad idea.

 

[PorkChopXpress]

Authenticity, to me is what's most important. I'm not a racist, but I think whoever is cast for a role should represent the image of the character in every way as built in a culture's subconscious. Yes, Kingpin is white. Black Panther is black. And Green Lantern is well...gay. I know it's the cool thing to put a spin on things, but when a film/show is based on a preexisting work, then I believe it's the responsibility of the director/talent dept. to keep things as close to the source as possible.

Yes, I would think it was wrong to cast Dave Chappelle as Abraham Lincoln, or Paul Sorvino as Vincent Van Gough. It's not revolutionary to swap the color of a character.

 

[UberNoodle]

I wouldn't stop it from happening. It could be effective, but if the artist has a vision, let not PC step in the way ... unless you're wanting to be a hobbit. Then, make a bit media circus out of it, and try to earn money the honest way, by suing.

 

[Cerrida]

Remember that quite a few American comics were made long before civil rights: Spider-Man was 1962, Green Lantern was 1940, etc. We have a torrid racial history and I'm sorry to say that America probably wouldn't have responded to a black hero. Today, much has changed and I would support a black casting as long as he was a good actor.

 

[[zonking great]]

Yes, I mind. The character is a certain race. A different race can mean a world of difference in mindset. A black person experiences things different than a white person. So it makes a difference. And thus, I mind.

 

[Ampersand]

I think they should go for it. Nay they must!...... for science!

 

[AMMO Kid]

No, but I wouldn't want a black batman

 

[Dogstile]

Do I know the the superhero is meant to be a different skin colour? If so, then yes. I'm going to find it ridiculous.

 

[m72_ar]

Samuel L Jackson is so badass that they change NIck Fury to a black guy in the comics.

Good point, MIchael Clarke Duncan as Kingpin is excellent.

Depends on casting though, Samuel Jackson and Michael Clarke Duncan is a perfect fit for their role, but other black actor might not be able to pull it of

 

[Dana22]

Of course, Imagine we had afro-americans playing Hobbits in new Hobbit movie. Wait...

 

[kikon9]

Well, did anyone mind Sam Jackson as Nick Fury?

He's not really a superhero.

OT: Maybe the Green Lantern because of that racism subplot in the 60s.

 

[The Salty Vulcan]

I was watching Donald Glover on Comedy Central Presents and it reminded me of the campaign for him to audition for the new Spider-Man. I personally don't mind because a character like Peter Parker is the everyman. I can't really think of any heroes that are normally white who absolutely have to be white.

What are your thoughts?

For me its not a racial issue, its a point of continuing the character in the light that he/she was created. For instance, Superman has been around since 1938 and he's always been a white guy. I think, and I'm sure the world would think, that if in the new Superman movie they decided to use a black actor it wouldn't fit the character and story.

I don't think that would neccesarily be the case. Yes it would be a little jarring at first but I doubt it would seriously change the character. He would still be the bumbling but humble Kent/almighty Man of Steel. That being said, its time to flex my Superman Mythos muscles. In one continuity, Tangent Comics, Superman actually was a black man. Granted his abilities were more mental and he was a major antagonist.

 

[Nicragomi]

Mexican Superfriends...

 

[DiMono]

Well, did anyone mind Sam Jackson as Nick Fury?

Wesley Snipes as Batman. Now that would be awesome.

You may have to wait a few years for that one

 

[Squidden]

I haven't read the whole thread so somebody may have mentioned this, but I'm generally fine if a superhero is a different race, but what angers me is that for the Kane and Lynch movie, Jamie Foxx is playing Lynch. Seriously. What the hell?

Also, a BLACK guy playing a WHITE character who is named LYNCH? It's just wrong.

 

[Distorted Stu]

I dont care whatever, aslong as its not a woman in a mans role and vice versa

 

[Zorg Machine]

There are very few characters who (in my opinion) would have a hard time being portrayed by an actor with a different skin color than the original.
The only ones I could think of are Superman, Green lantern, the joker and Wolverine.