*As Idris Elba prepares for the release of “Thor” (see trailer below) in which he plays the role of all-seeing Heimdall, he’s also readying himself for a battle against fans who disagree with the part.
“Pure-fan” comic-bookers say its quite disrespectful to have a black man play the role of a character rooted in Norse mythology.
Elba, 38, says it’s just outright racism talking.
“Purist comic-book fans are one thing,” said the 38-year-old actor in an interview with L.A. Times, “Out-and-out racism is another… Of course, the more I speak on this topic, the more I fuel it. But, look, if people have a problem with me playing the character, just don’t go see the movie, you know?”
Well, they may do just that. There is a website petitioning fans to boycott the film for inserting “left-wing social engineering into European mythology.”
Check out the site here.
“Thor” opens this weekend.
Meanwhile, Elba’s career keeps moving forward. He just finished filming Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance which is slated for release in 2012.
Hollywood began with white men in blackface, Charlton Heston played Moses surrounded by a bunch of white folks as Egyptians, Liz Taylor same surroundings as Cleopatra, and lets not forget all the lily white faces in all the movies about Jesus throughout the years YET racist mf’s are upset at the idea of a black man playing a FICTIONAL mythical character.
Kiss My *
Cosign.
I hope it gross millions (minus my ten)
^^^ Woooo! ^^^
Wish I could give that 2 thumbs up. My sentiments EXACTLY.
While the blatant racism is obvious, I have to agree with the comic book purists on this one. Yes, white Hollywood has put white actors in roles to portray non-whites for years, and it was WRONG. I get that. But just because white people do effed up ish does not mean everyone else has to. The “well white folks do it” rationale is really tired. Wrong is wrong, not matter who is doing it to whom.
Casting Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra was wrong. But that would not justifty casing Angela Basset as Marie Antoinette.
I know I would’ve been really salty if one of the Cosby Kids was cast as white when they made the Fat Albert movie. If they made a film version of Good Times I would be real salty if they cast Wilona as a white woman. I wish I was more familiar with African mytholody so that I could site better examples, but I think I’ve made my point.
The Green Lantern is out now, and in the comic book (or at least in the cartoon on TV) the title character is a black man. But the role is beng played by a white man. I’m salty about that. I don’t plan on seeing the movie. Just like I have right to voice my displeasure about that, the Thor fans have a right to voice their displeasure about a central character being cast as a black man. I’m not excusing the racism, I’m understanding the frustration.
I have to disagree with you. I’m a nerd (too) so I looked up the Green Lantern and there were more than one. That said, I don’t think it a big deal for a cartoon character to be played by someone of another race. It’s fiction. That’s the beauty of fiction – you can do whatever you want with it. Now the Marie Antoinette thing – yeah, I can see that UNLESS they had some kind of adaptation where she is not French but instead a figure in high society who disregards the poor. When it’s a real person I can see that. I was against Denzel playing Malcolm X. Malcolm was called Detroit Red for a reason. Dyeing Denzel’s hair that horrid red color just didn’t do it for me.
Didn’t know there was more than one Green Lantern. Thanks for the info. I find it “interesting” that they would choose the white one for the movie.
I understand your point about fiction vs. non-fiction when it comes to casting characters. I say that it goes to honoring the integrity of the original work. It would have compromised the integrity of Walter Mosley’s work if they had cast a white man as Mouse in “Devil in a Blue Dress.” IMO, when adapting fictional characters from literature to the screen, it’s not necessary to be “exact” when casting peripheral characters. But I believe you need to be mindful when casting central characters.
The reason why they’re focusing on this Green Lantern because he(Hal Jordan)was the 1st Green Lantern that came out & most comic book fans are familar with his story.
Queenie, I forgot to add, I loved Denzel as Malcom. But I think Terrance Howard would have been an excellent choice as well. As you pointed out, he would have fit the “Detroit Red” thing much better.
I didn’t like him as Malcolm at all. I would’ve liked to see Lawrence Fishburne in that role. Tell me I’m wrong! I bet you can’t! LOL He was perfect for it. But Terrence would’ve been okay – if he could get past playing the same character in every movie! LOL (Jamie Foxx was clowning him about that on his radio show. Evidently Terrance was criticizing Jamie’s music so he went at him. It was hilarious. Never try to go at a comedian or a rapper – especially a good one. You’ll get eaten alive. Mariah Carey can tell you that from Eminem’s rebuttal to her song and now Terrence can say the same. You can see it here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPIDBEaoov4&playnext=1&list=PLCEDB33D43FA1DE53 )
Comic book purists have a gripe just like if the storyline was wrong or something. However last time I checked, mythology is what it is…. A MYTH!!! It’s not true, it’s fiction, made up? Go away dumb people.
I applaud Idris for being diplomatic.
the haters are ex-limp-dick dungeons & dragon gamers…like queeniebunz says: that’s the beauty of fiction…why don’t they ask an average Tom-Dick or Garth” in europe how they feel about it….this is so silly.