Support NeoGAF

[Sanke__]

Just want to chime in that Ashraf Barhom is indeed a fantastic fucking actor

Just saw him in a list posted above
Great example of an actor that would benefit greatly from more opportunity

 

[Valhelm]

I can follow a Jewish character, because it's a pivotal character in their faith, and Jews as a people are genetically still similar to 3000 years ago, but why would Arabs be better than Caucasians or say Turkic people? I think people from Italian, Greek, Macedonian descent would probably have a much better claim to being ethnically similar to Egyptian rulers than Arabs.

Arabs look more like Ancient Israelites than Jewish Americans do, thanks to thousands of years of European admixture, but I think a Mizrahi actor would be preferable. English proficiency is so high in Israeli, that finding a talented Mizrahi guy wouldn't have been hard.

 

[Dr.Acula]

The "hire the best person for the role" idea doesn't really work for art. I mean, if you want a bridge built, a football thrown, or the president operated on, by all means, get THE BEST. But movies are more judgements calls. People can't even decide which Bond is the best, and if you ask people their top-3 there will be crazy variation.

The role of Finn was cast, Boyega just happened to be the one they chose.

*whew* glad they didn't go with Meth Damon. I like him, but every time I see him I go "THAT GUY!" Boyega is good, I wasn't like "Attack the Block!" when I saw him pop up in the trailers.

 

[RustyNails]

Man, Meth Damon is everywhere. From that Johnny Depp mobster movie to Spielberg/Hanks' Cold War movie. Fargo Season 2 as well.

 

[SlimySnake]

Man, Meth Damon is everywhere. From that Johnny Depp mobster movie to Spielberg/Hanks' Cold War movie. Fargo Season 2 as well.

Wait. i just watched that movie a couple of weeks ago.

Spoiler

dont tell me he was the fat soldier who identifies the pilot at the end.

 

[nOoblet16]

I can follow a Jewish character, because it's a pivotal character in their faith, and Jews as a people are genetically still similar to 3000 years ago, but why would Arabs be better than Caucasians or say Turkic people? I think people from Italian, Greek, Macedonian descent would probably have a much better claim to being ethnically similar to Egyptian rulers than Arabs.

Not even close, if you are talking about the Ashkenazi Jews who are essentially European genetically speaking. The Israelites back then would be similar looking to Arabs today, as such Mizrahi Jews would be more accurate of a representation of ancient Israelites.

 

[Matt]

Wait. i just watched that movie a couple of weeks ago.

Spoiler

dont tell me he was the fat soldier who identifies the pilot at the end.

Spoiler

Fat pilot

 

[Primethius]

Hilarious segment. Oliver's just been on a roll.

 

[FuturusX]

Meth Damon...that's damn good.

Oh and I think we can all agree that Hollywood needs to be free to hire the very best WHITE actors they can find for every role.

How else is the film going to be WHITE...I mean good.

 

[Androidsleeps]

I think it all comes down to money..and China. This problem doesn't seem very big in indie films, only the big budgeted ones and the blockbusters. Thinking about it, things were better few years back, we had minorities starring in big movies from hispanic to black to asian. However, those seem to be disappearing lately and the reason I think because the execs don't think minorities can bring in money and/or the movie wouldn't do well in China, because (and I heared some people touch on this) Chinese and maybe lots of overseas audiences prefer their hollywood blockbusters with white leads. I didn't really research this through so Im not sure how true is this. What I hope comes out from all this controversy is more big movies with minority actors as more people discuss this issue. I can't imagine another OscarSoWhite next year..

 

[afternoon delight]

Hollywood's response: *yawn*

 

[spekkeh]

Not even close, if you are talking about the Ashkenazi Jews who are essentially European genetically speaking. The Israelites back then would be similar looking to Arabs today, as such Mizrahi Jews would be more accurate of a representation of ancient Israelites.

Fair enough, but would the Israelites back then have been a homogeneous ethnicity? (honest question, I really don't know) (I was just responding to someone wanting to cast Arabs as Ancient Egyptians, who I reckon invaded Egypt much later than Europeans)

 

[Fixed2BeBroken]

John Boyega was in Attack the Block

And nobody saw attack the block until John Boyega was cast in star wars and people said "oh what has he been in?"

at least in America.

it was in response to this....

but can they get their start in a AAA movie if you will?

my point being Attack the block wasn't a AAA movie.

 

[MHWilliams]

I think it all comes down to money..and China. This problem doesn't seem very big in indie films, only the big budgeted ones and the blockbusters. Thinking about it, things were better few years back, we had minorities starring in big movies from hispanic to black to asian. However, those seem to be disappearing lately and the reason I think because the execs don't think minorities can bring in money and/or the movie wouldn't do well in China, because (and I heared some people touch on this) Chinese and maybe lots of overseas audiences prefer their hollywood blockbusters with white leads. I didn't really research this through so Im not sure how true is this. What I hope comes out from all this controversy is more big movies with minority actors as more people discuss this issue. I can't imagine another OscarSoWhite next year..

The biggest Western film in the Chinese box office is Furious 7. Other major films include most of the Transformers films, Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Iron Man 3, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, and Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.

If China is afraid of minority actors, it doesn't show. If anything, all that seems to matter is broad character stroke and spectacle.

 

[Fixed2BeBroken]

I think it all comes down to money..and China. This problem doesn't seem very big in indie films, only the big budgeted ones and the blockbusters. Thinking about it, things were better few years back, we had minorities starring in big movies from hispanic to black to asian. However, those seem to be disappearing lately and the reason I think because the execs don't think minorities can bring in money and/or the movie wouldn't do well in China, because (and I heared some people touch on this) Chinese and maybe lots of overseas audiences prefer their hollywood blockbusters with white leads. I didn't really research this through so Im not sure how true is this. What I hope comes out from all this controversy is more big movies with minority actors as more people discuss this issue. I can't imagine another OscarSoWhite next year..

doubt this is true....otherwise Exodus: Gods and Kings would have did gangbusters

 

[DrForester]

Knew Christopher Lee's Fu Manchu would be featured, but I was hoping they would use a MST3K clip with the theater seats.

Far as the Academy saying Hollywood doesn't make enough pictures with minorities, it's true. But isn't the Academy made up of the people in Hollywood who make that choice?

 

[Saint Gregory]

Knew Christopher Lee's Fu Manchu would be featured, but I was hoping they would use a MST3K clip with the theater seats.

Far as the Academy saying Hollywood doesn't make enough pictures with minorities, it's true. But isn't the Academy made up of the people in Hollywood who make that choice?

Yep, a bunch of us pointed that out in the #Oscarssowhite thread. It's a ridiculous argument for them to make.

 

[jmizzal]

I remember when the Prince of Persia casting was happening and I remember my pick.



Oded Fehr. Man, that would have been great.

... We got Donnie Darko instead.

Good video

And this guy is suck a good actor, wish he was in more movies, I know he does a lot of tv, loved Sleeper Cell

 

[UltraGunner]

For being supposedly progressive Hollywood does a lot of racist shit, and what makes it sad is that they'll probably do the bare minimum for representation now after the whole Oscarssowhite kerfuffle and devovle into a self congratulatory wankfest over how inclusive they are in the next award season

 

[iNvid02]

high five for linking to a non geo locked US only version

what fucking year is it!

 

[AyaisMUsikWhore]

This... Killed me! 💀💀💀💀

 

[Kinyou]

Has anyone brought up Ghost In The Shell starring Scarlett Johansen as Japanese Section 9 special agent Motoko Kusanagi?

I mean I am giving them the benefit of the doubt but you've got to admit it doesn't look good from here so far.

For me it depends on what they'll do with the source material. If they transfer the whole setting into the usa or europe it should be ok, but if it's still in Japan and Johansen goes by Kusanagi then it's bullshit.

 

[Gallbaro]

Next up...

Late night hosts.

 

[SeanC]

For being supposedly progressive Hollywood does a lot of racist shit, and what makes it sad is that they'll probably do the bare minimum for representation now after the whole Oscarssowhite kerfuffle and devovle into a self congratulatory wankfest over how inclusive they are in the next award season

It's the gap between the creative people we see upfront, who are outspoken on these things, versus the people in power who actually make decisions.

You'll occasionally have a person of color in a position of power, like Channing Dungey who was just named head of ABC, but that's a drop in the bucket. Most agents, managers, studio execs and people at production companies are white. Unless the companies are founded by a minority, they'll rarely employ a minority. It's just not an avenue for most people of color because they feel shunned and marginalized.

 

[linsivvi]

I think it all comes down to money..and China. This problem doesn't seem very big in indie films, only the big budgeted ones and the blockbusters. Thinking about it, things were better few years back, we had minorities starring in big movies from hispanic to black to asian. However, those seem to be disappearing lately and the reason I think because the execs don't think minorities can bring in money and/or the movie wouldn't do well in China, because (and I heared some people touch on this) Chinese and maybe lots of overseas audiences prefer their hollywood blockbusters with white leads. I didn't really research this through so Im not sure how true is this. What I hope comes out from all this controversy is more big movies with minority actors as more people discuss this issue. I can't imagine another OscarSoWhite next year..

This was bullshit in the Star Wars poster thread and this is bullshit here.

Don't blame Hollywood's fucking problem on China. Minorities representation has always been terrible in America. If China was the reason then Cameron fucking Crowe would have cast an actual Chinese person in his shitty movie.

 

[Measley]

That's beside the point.
The film is titled "The Last Samourai" and it was heavily promoting Tom Cruise over the rest of the cast.
It may not be a case of white guy taking the role of a minority but it's certainly a case of white guy being in a prominent role where he shouldn't be because you really have to put a white guy front and center
like that

Funny thing is that Pitt was fucking awful in that film and was only in it for like 5 minutes.

Oh. and fuck Ridley Scott. How about hiring some black/minority actors from America to play Egyptians? That would solve that bullshit excuse.

 

[enzo_gt]

Great summary of racism in the entertainment industry.

 

[Prototype Viktor]

I knew it was bad.... Just not that bad! Wow! What can we do to improve things?

Start banging non whites if your white. Works the same way republicans are anti-gay til thier children come out

 

[Chariot]

That's beside the point.
The film is titled "The Last Samourai" and it was heavily promoting Tom Cruise over the rest of the cast.
It may not be a case of white guy taking the role of a minority but it's certainly a case of white guy being in a prominent role where he shouldn't be because you really have to put a white guy front and center
like that

That 12 Years a Slave poster is a shame, but in Last Samurai it made sense to have Tom Cruise prominent, his character was the focal point after all. However that is another problem in and off itself. Not a fan how the white man is learning about the culture and grows to one of the best warrior ever within days or weeks. He should've really taken a step back and be great with guns or something. You know, something his character was actually trained for.

Hollywood's response: *yawn*

What are middle easterns? White, asian or other?

 

[Chariot]

edit: warrgh, double post

 

[Father_Brain]

Black Panther is going to be a really interesting test of Hollywood's "fear of a black movie" problem on multiple levels: how well it does at the box office, how many white characters are written into the film, how much said white characters are emphasized in the marketing vs. the amount of screen time; etc.

 

[Timbuktu]

I think it all comes down to money..and China. This problem doesn't seem very big in indie films, only the big budgeted ones and the blockbusters. Thinking about it, things were better few years back, we had minorities starring in big movies from hispanic to black to asian. However, those seem to be disappearing lately and the reason I think because the execs don't think minorities can bring in money and/or the movie wouldn't do well in China, because (and I heared some people touch on this) Chinese and maybe lots of overseas audiences prefer their hollywood blockbusters with white leads. I didn't really research this through so Im not sure how true is this. What I hope comes out from all this controversy is more big movies with minority actors as more people discuss this issue. I can't imagine another OscarSoWhite next year..

I see you are outsourcing your racism problems now. You can't put just blame China for everything.

 

[linsivvi]

I see you are outsourcing your racism problems now. You can't put just blame China for everything.

Especially ridiculous given that last year Furious 7 made more money in China than in America and San Andreas made more money there than probably the entire EU combined.

 

[Pop-O-Matic]

Black Panther is going to be a really interesting test of Hollywood's "fear of a black movie" problem on multiple levels: how well it does at the box office, how many white characters are written into the film, how much said white characters are emphasized in the marketing vs. the amount of screen time; etc.

Watch Black Panther be a stealth Iron Man 4 or some shit...

 

[RustyNails]

Wait. i just watched that movie a couple of weeks ago.

Spoiler

dont tell me he was the fat soldier who identifies the pilot at the end.

Yup. Fatt Damon.

 

[MHWilliams]

It's the gap between the creative people we see upfront, who are outspoken on these things, versus the people in power who actually make decisions.

You'll occasionally have a person of color in a position of power, like Channing Dungey who was just named head of ABC, but that's a drop in the bucket. Most agents, managers, studio execs and people at production companies are white. Unless the companies are founded by a minority, they'll rarely employ a minority. It's just not an avenue for most people of color because they feel shunned and marginalized.

This is part of the problem. It's not one huge hivemind making racist decisions. It's a bunch of small, rote, reinforced decisions that add up to a bigger issue.

 

[Angelus Errare]

I see you are outsourcing your racism problems now. You can't put just blame China for everything.

So many Americans are pro at blaming other countries for their shit.

Watch Black Panther be a stealth Iron Man 4 or some shit...

Don't you will this shit into existence!

 

[Morrigan Stark]

But Tom Cruise isn't meant to be the Last Samurai, that's Ken Watanabe :/

Yeah that was a mark on an otherwise great segment. They could have at least correctly mentioned that the marketing used Tom Cruise and all that to sell the movie, but instead they attacked the movie for something it didn't do.

The rest was 100% on point though.

Of course the message of the segment is 100% correct, but I really hate that they used the tired Prince of Persia example.

Why?

joel edgar is not well known.

And The Lone Ranger, featuring mega-star Johnny Depp presumably because "hey let's pick a big name actor because $$$", completely flopped. Oops.

 

[Saint Gregory]

Black Panther is going to be a really interesting test of Hollywood's "fear of a black movie" problem on multiple levels: how well it does at the box office, how many white characters are written into the film, how much said white characters are emphasized in the marketing vs. the amount of screen time; etc.

Well the viral marketing campaign that they worked out with Beyoncé is at least a sign that they're investing heavily in early promotion for the film.

... wait, that wasn't what that was???

 

[Zabka]

As much as I like Chiwetel Ejiofor casting him as an Indian guy in the Martian was really lame, but I guess that's not whitewashing.

But the 6-foot tall white girl playing the Korean....

 

[Angelus Errare]

Every time a movie flops featuring a white male, it's rarely because of the white male. When a movie flops with a black lead or female lead (or both) it's because the lead was black and/or female.

Amazing.

 

[linsivvi]

Funny thing is that Pitt was fucking awful in that film and was only in it for like 5 minutes.

To be fair to Pitt his production company has been funding or co-funding a lot of films with minorities at lead roles and more in the pipeline.

He's definitely not part of the problem.

 

[Saint Gregory]

Every time a movie flops featuring a white male, it's rarely because of the white male. When a movie flops with a black lead or female lead (or both) it's because the lead was black and/or female.

Amazing.

I think that most of the postmortems on Exodus blamed the movie's performance on the terrible casting. I mean it was more than just whitewashing, it was really awful casting.

It was almost like Scott asked for a diverse cast, got shut down and then said "oh, you guys want a clown show? I'll give you a clown show..."

 

[Angelus Errare]

I think that most of the postmortems on Exodus blamed the movie's performance on the terrible casting. I mean it was more than just whitewashing, it was really awful casting.

It was almost like Scott asked for a diverse cast, got shut down and then said "oh, you guys want a clown show? I'll give you a clown show..."

Yea but I bet none of their careers took a dive because of it. It took like 3 flops before Hollywood stopped propping Taylor Kaischtiaswhatever as white hollywood jesus.

 

[afternoon delight]

What are middle easterns? White, asian or other?

Other.

 

[Demise]

If what Ridley says is true, and I dont know if its true, but if you cant get high box office films made if you dont present white actors in the forefront of roles that are not white, what can actually be done about that?

Don't make movie to make big money but maybe try to make something good that will stay on people mind forever like alien ? You know without checking all right hollywood boxes.

The guy made a movie with an alien as a star, it was a huge hit and still considered as one of the best sf movie ever but the guy won't take the risk to have a "muhamad" be the star of one of its movie ? Where's the sens ?

The guy made two movies I like a lot : Blade runner and Alien but i would have never suspected the guy to be that stupid, ignorant and probably proud of it.

That's depressing and quite soul crushing.

 

[hodayathink]

The walking dead porn parody killed me.

Joanna Angel deserved every bit of hate she got for that movie. Her response to the backlash against literal yellow-face was so out of touch it was almost funny. Almost. And don't get me started on that time she shot a scene for MLK Day. And this is coming from someone who knows that there's literally one Asian male actor in American porn, and he's Southeast Asian and not Chinese/Japanese IIRC.

 

[Gray Matter]

John Oliver and his staff are great, the way they blend comedy with real life problems seamlessly is amazing, hope they do this show for a long time.

 

[Jonnax]

Other.

Brown Asians?

 

[GorillaJu]

That was great, except the "too street" line about Idris Elba which is taken in the wrong context to make the author sound racist.