Would you mind black actors portraying superheroes who are normally white?
- Thread starter unicron44
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Keep in mind that whenever a black or Asian character is played by a white actor, people tend to get their panties in a bunch (ex. the movie "21"). Why should it be different the other way around? Either we stick with an accurate representation of the character, or everyone can play anyone and no one complains or creates a double standard.
I think that it would partly depend on the acting ability of the person, and I am in no way a racist, but if the character is purposely meant to be white, then that would obviously be a preference for the actor to be white.
But it depends on the context as well. For instance, in a superhero film the fact that the character is white is probably not relevant to the actual story, it is just the way the character is designed, therefore there is no problem with black actors portraying white superheroes.
But if you think about things like historical documentaries, it is different. You wouldn't have a black person playing Henry VIII would you? Or a white person playing as black slave in a historical documentary, it depends on whether the skin colour/race/ethnicity is of importance to the story, and history of the program.
But it depends on the context as well. For instance, in a superhero film the fact that the character is white is probably not relevant to the actual story, it is just the way the character is designed, therefore there is no problem with black actors portraying white superheroes.
But if you think about things like historical documentaries, it is different. You wouldn't have a black person playing Henry VIII would you? Or a white person playing as black slave in a historical documentary, it depends on whether the skin colour/race/ethnicity is of importance to the story, and history of the program.
And you missed the man's point because age and gender fall right in line with skin color.Blitzwarp said:
Samuel Jackson didn't do too bad with Nick Fury, but I still don't like it when they change ethnicity of characters. I mean how effective would it be if a white man played Jim in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, it would be pretty stupid. I don't have anything against people of different backgrounds, there are a lot of great actors and actresses of a different ethnicity.
Because I think in this case the only reason you'd be casting an actor in this role would be because he is black and as we've established already, skin colour should have no bearing on the perceived talent of an actor. Casting a black man as such a prominant cultural icon will only start a race row and completely detract attention from the performance of the actor. Superman exists as a reminder of American history, an Invented icon to inspire men fighting for their country. To change his famous appearance kind of screws with history to a degree rendering any changes to it, unpopular and completely transparent from the start.Toriver said:
Challenging stereotypes and pushing for equality is great, I'm all for that, but you can't paint a white swan black and call it a black swan. It'll just be a swan with black paint on it.
If they want to bring black (or indeed any ethnicity) actors to the forefront in order to demonstrate racial diversity and equality in the movies they should create new roles for them or at least think carefully about the roles in question. I'd love to see Will Smith take on the mantle of Captain America but it's not likely to happen for the same reasons no-one is going to cast Patrick Stewart as Nelson Mandela... It'll be changing ethnicities for it's own sake, and that'll only cause more racism in my opinion. (Oh and Ben Kingsley is half Indian anyway so don't bring up Ghandi)...
Although I'd prefer is Super Heroes would stay the colour they were created as and have been for many years, even I have to agree Wesley Snipes as Batman would be the most awsome thing ever.
Ethnic Hulk anyone?
Ethnic Hulk anyone?
I'm a big comics fan and when I see a Superhero I expect him to look like he does in the comic book, so yes it would bother me.
No, If he can get recreate the atmosphere of the given character. Like Samuel L Jackson playing in lets say Die Hard ( I know he isn't a real superhero, but you get the point )
Yes, I think spiderman should be white, Superman should be white, Batman should be white.
If there is a justification for a race change like there being new Green Lanterns, or hell, even a new Batman, then black would be fine.
I would be turned off the character if Thor was black. It's part of the Norse Mythology, he embodies the ideal 'norseman' as imagined by the Norse people, who were white.
In the justice league television series I preferred the Black Green Lantern to the white imaginings.
If there is a justification for a race change like there being new Green Lanterns, or hell, even a new Batman, then black would be fine.
I would be turned off the character if Thor was black. It's part of the Norse Mythology, he embodies the ideal 'norseman' as imagined by the Norse people, who were white.
In the justice league television series I preferred the Black Green Lantern to the white imaginings.
This is obviously a TRAP to catch people being racist.
I for one wouldn't want Spiderman being portrayed as black, myself. I was raised on Spiderman.
Let's do a biography on Al Gore and have a black man portray him in the dramatised scenes. It just... Doesn't FEEL right.
I for one wouldn't want Spiderman being portrayed as black, myself. I was raised on Spiderman.
Let's do a biography on Al Gore and have a black man portray him in the dramatised scenes. It just... Doesn't FEEL right.
But what's the difference between a man and a woman? Hormones and physical makeup, but they are both human beings. What's the difference between an old man and a young man? Nothing but their physical age. Why should skin color be any different? It's a visual thing; You will obviously notice first that a black man is black and a white man is white. Does this dictate their acting ability or their personality? No.Blitzwarp said:
As I said, should Kevin Bacon be able to portray T'Challa, the Black Panther? Will Emma Stone be the next Storm?
Short answer: No.
I admit though that the above evidence is a bit one sided: The Hoff can't compare to Sam-L.
No, I wouldn't mind a black actor/actress playing a typically white superhero too much so long as they didn't change too many other things.
But you can bet that people would mind if they cast a black superhero as being white. That's just the way this kind of thing works, and it's pretty silly.
But you can bet that people would mind if they cast a black superhero as being white. That's just the way this kind of thing works, and it's pretty silly.