Color-Blind Casting -- Should Hollywood Ignore Race In Casting?

So, there's a Daredevil movie coming up. Michael Clarke Duncan is playing The Kingpin -- the kingpin of crime in New York City where Spiderman, Daredevil, the Avengers, etc. all hang out.

Michael Clarke Duncan is a black man.
The Kingpin, in the comics, was white.

Let me say this now to get it out of the way -- I WHOLEHEARTEDLY support "color-blind casting" in the purview of original works written for the screen or adapted works for the screen when no real difference will be made. If someone writes a script (original) and has a particular affinity for a "type" of actor (say the casting calls for White Male, 30 - 35), there should be no real harm by casting someone outside of that demographic.

However -- when there is a source that indicates graphically a particular type of ethnicity -- be it Caucasian, Latino, Asian, etc. -- should Hollywood attempt to use the best actor available or the best actor for the role?

Would people think that Superman could be Latino? Asian? (And no, not Steel, not any Superboys -- the one and only Superman).

Would people think that Matthew Broderick's character in Glory could be anything other than a Caucasian male, mid-20s to 30s?

What about JFK as a minority?
The Black Panther as a Caucasian?
Catwoman as a man?

This goes for the upcoming "revised" "Battlestar Galactica" mini-series (it's in quotes for a reason). The characters of Boomer and Starbuck are being made into women -- with Boomer being a lesbian and Starbuck perhaps falling for Apollo. Is that right? Should previous works be allowed to stand as evidence of who should be cast as what?

What are people's thoughts on the matter?

 

I think if it's adapted from a book, they should stay true to their character. I mean, say if a character is a minority in a book, and has struggled with racism to make a succesful life - how can that character be played be a white person? For example.

 

I don't think it makes sense to be completely color-blind in casting. For instance, it wouldn't make sense if half the kids were white and the other half were black in The Cosby Show.

There has to be discrimination, within reason. For instance, it would be stupid if anyone but a white man played Abraham Lincoln. It would be stupid if Mel Gibson played Martin Luther King, Jr. Conversely, it would be stupid if Danny DeVito played George Washington. It's just a question of accuracy.

If we're talking about fictional characters, then it's a slightly different story. Most movies are "based" on this or that story. In Daredevil, the Bullseye character is significantly differently attired from the character he's based on (from what I hear--I don't know much about Daredevil). I can easily believe that Michael Clarke Duncan was chosen for his acting ability, because he has a very imposing presence. In other cases (mostly commercials), it is sometimes painfully apparent that there's a calculated racial balance, and sometimes the commercial suffers as a result.

When race isn't pertinent, it shouldn't be a part of the calculation.

 

If we're talking about fictional characters, then it's a slightly different story.

But again -- what about fictional characters that have been depicted in a certain way for X amount of years?

Daredevil has been around since 1964. The Kingpin's first appearance was in Amazing Spider-Man #50 (first version) (I'm guessing around 1968?). Actually, probably close to Valentine's Day, 1968 -- so the movie will be close to the character's 35th anniversary!

Why change it now?
Would people accept changing some characters in Gone With The Wind if it was remade?

What about The Wizard of Oz with a cowardly hyena?

 

I don't think it makes much difference unless it's a historical character.

It might, for the sake fo an example, be odd to see Malcom X played by a white guy.

Then again I haven't been too interested in comic books so that particular example isn't important to me.

 

Fictional characters: Race should not be a factor, unless race plays a big part in that character.

Real People: The same race should be casted, for more realism.

 

Who cares?

The filmmakers use their judgement to place the highest quality film in the theaters. If Michael Clarke Duncan fits the role of Kingpin best, then so be it. Who else could play him? There aren't very many huge, bald, experienced actors around. I guess you could ask Butterbean, but I doubt he would be interested.

Most parts of movies(key word: most) are written for a person of a specific color/race/creed/etc. I don't see actors being cast for a part that doesn't fit their description.

I don't get the point of this? This is one instance of deviating from race in a book to movie. Whoopy-friggin-doo.

 

Real people: Should definately be of the same race. It is insulting and racist to the real life person otherwise.

Fictional people: It is entirely up to the filmmakers. They are making a fictional film and if they want an all white cast, thats fine and if they want all balck cast, thats fine. Anyone who dislikes this can protest by not watching the film.

 

There are a couple of factors that have to be looked at in these situations.

1) Is the character based on someone in real life?

As has already been mentioned, casting someone of a different race to play someone from real history would be an odd choice. Not completely unfeasible depending on the message the movie is trying to send, but ultimately I think it would be a poor choice.

2) Are the characters motives race-related?

It wouldn't make much sense to have a Black Panther-type group be lead by an angry white guy. If the character is motivated by his race/ethnicity, then the actor portraying them needs to be that race.

I can easily believe that Michael Clarke Duncan was chosen for his acting ability, because he has a very imposing presence.

Duncan was chosen because he met the physical requirements of the Kingpin: a large, heavy man who looks fat but in reality is all muscle.

The Kingpin's race was never a factor in his characterization. He is a greedy CEO-by-day/criminal-kingpin-by-night sort of guy who once crushed a man's head in his bare hands. It doesn't matter if the actor is black, white, or green; as long as he is large and intimidating, which Duncan is.

Superman, while some may disagree, is in the same boat. As long as the actor is Superman-ish, then I don't think it should matter what color they are.

 

I agree with what everyone has said

If it is a historical, real-life character, you probably want to stay true to that person's race for reality.

If it is a fictional character and race (or even gender) doesn't play a role in who he is, then I don't see why not. Spiderman could be latino, asian, or black and it wouldn't make a difference to most people I think. A female spiderman might be over the top though

Although I do think that fictional movies should be realistic. That means two latino parents can't give birth to a pale, freckled, red-haired child. Adoption would work though.

 

I agree with pretty much everything that has been said. The only thing that makes Kingpin white in the comic books is the way that he has been coloured by the artists. Besides that, there isn't any characturizations that restrict the Kingpin to one race or another. Micheal Clark Duncan seems to be a fine choice to me.

 

Duncan is a great actor, but the comics clearly show him as a white man, so I think he should be played by a white man. This goes with anything where a certain type of person is needed. It's not racism. It's accuracy. When a black Kingpin steps in front of the camera, a lot of hardcore fans will be pulled out of the movie.

 

I very much doubt so, Mr. Thrawn. Hey, maybe you could give us a couple of suggestions as to white actors capable of playing the Kingpin as accurately as Duncan can do it? Kingpin in the comics is only white in colour and nothing else.

Did you guys know that Marvel comics changed the colour of one of their top characters themselves?? Originally, Colonal Fury was a white guy. But now, in the Ultimate comic line, he's a black guy.

 

I very much doubt so, Mr. Thrawn.

Duncan was in The Green Mile. What if Coffey was played by a white man instead of Duncan? Those of us who'd read the book would have been pulled out of the movie. Heck, having a white Coffey would have ruined the movie for me. It works both ways.

 

Seems like this is less of a race issue and more at canonical nitpicking. See also, the lack of Tom Bombadil in Fellowship of the Ring and Spiderman's organic web-shooters.

Heck, if you wanna go further back, Billy Dee Williams played D.A. Harvey Dent (the future Two-Face) in Tim Burton's Batman -- another instance of a black actor portraying a traditionally white character.

You know what? I didn't care then, and I don't care now.

The Kingpin is, traditionally, white, but his character is not defined by his race. If I was to quickly describe the character, I'd say he's a large, physcially intimidating crime boss. Race doesn't enter into it. And given that description, Duncan fits the bill to a "T". He strikes me as a very good fit for the role; as such, that fit justifies the casting decision.

If canon's going to be ignored or altered, I usually ask two questions:

- Does it matter? The casting of Billy Dee in Batman did not, as Dent was quite a minor character.

- Does it serve? Spidey's organic web-shooters seemed to beg the question: why does it matter that he's such a science whiz, since he didn't actually use his brains for anything in the movie?

The exclusion of Tom Bombadil didn't matter since his story was *really* a digression. Excluding that side-story did serve in that the movie was already seventeen hours long.

Here, I don't think the Kingpin's race matters, and I think Duncan is likely to play the role well.

It's a bit different with JFK, seeing that he's a historical figure in a time and place where race mattered, and when his own heritage (Irish Catholicism) did factor into his upbringing. A director *could* cast a black man for the role, but he'd have to have a very, very compelling artistic reason for doing so.

 

Hell, if we're gonna keep score, Morgan Freeman's character in The Shawshank Redemption was white in the short story. He was called, "Red," because of his Irish ancestory and red hair.

Anyone complain about that change? Anyone?

 

I think overall it should be the best actor for the job.

Though, I think it would be strange to see a black James Bond, or asian Queen Victoria.

- Scarlet.

 

Hell, if we're gonna keep score, Morgan Freeman's character in The Shawshank Redemption was white in the short story. He was called, "Red," because of his Irish ancestory and red hair.

Anyone complain about that change? Anyone?


Anyone actually read the short story? Anyone? Exactly. Only those who know the movie before it is a movie, can compare the 2.

I'm sure the canonists of DareDevil(and every other Marvel comic), purists if you will, are fronting their "WTF" faces at the sight of a black Kingpin. Not to say they don't approve, but it's something that most wouldn't expect.

 

I have read "Rita Haywood and the Shawshank Redemption" and seen the movie many times -- it being one of my favorite films of all time.

 

Ya mean Hayworth?

Yeah, I like it a lot, too. I got it as part of an book which contained four Stephen King novellas (called Four Seasons), Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption, Apt Pupil, The Body, and the Breathing Method.

Damn good.

I also have the video. I like it a lot. Morgan Freeman was brilliant.

- Scarlet.

 

Yeah, my bad: Heywood was one of the characters in the film.

 

"I have read 'Rita Haywood and the Shawshank Redemption' and seen the movie many times -- it being one of my favorite films of all time."

Bubba and the Genghis agree on something? [face_shocked]













Lucifer: Hey, is that snow?

 

<holds up hand>

My favorite Stephen King short story. I've read it many times.

 

My favourite is 'Sorry, Right Number' out of Nightmares and Dreamscapes. It truly IS only a short story - not a novella - in play form, which has such a brilliant twist at the end.

As for novellas, I'd say The Body. That's slightly better than the Shawshank Redemption, IMHO.

I get the impression I'm slightly off-topic here, though.

- Scarlet.

 

"I'm sure the canonists of DareDevil(and every other Marvel comic), purists if you will, are fronting their "WTF" faces at the sight of a black Kingpin."

I'm a pretty big Marvel fan, and i quite honestly couldn't care less about the character's skin colour, because his colour has NEVER been the slightest bit of an issue in the comic books.

I think most fans agree.