Oh No They Didn't: The Hunger Games Casting for 'Underfed' White Teenage Girls
There's a little something wrong with the casting breakdown for Lionsgate's upcoming adaptation of Suzanne Collins' YA smash The Hunger Games. Or rather, a few little somethings: in a widely circulated casting call for the central part of Katniss, the fiercely independent young heroine of the dystopian survival trilogy, filmmakers are seeking girls who are Caucasian and look "underfed but strong." Is this fantasy franchise off to the wrong start?
A Wall Street Journal article detailing casting director Debra Zane's search for the perfect Katniss Everdeen -- the most sought-after role among young Hollywood actresses at the moment -- includes the four following criteria: The candidate must be between the ages of 15-20, be Caucasian, appear "underfed but strong," and be "naturally pretty underneath her tomboyishness."
The debate over Katniss's on-screen ethnicity (or lack thereof) has raged in the Hunger Games fan community ever since a film adaptation was announced, owing to author Collins' seemingly specific descriptions of the young heroine's ethnicity. Described as having dark hair, olive skin, and gray eyes (in contrast to her fair-haired mother and sister), Katniss is thought by some readers to be of Mediterranean, Latin, Asian, or mixed descent.
By the same token, Katniss's colorings could also suggest a brunette Caucasian girl, as in the novel's official marketing materials (above). Either way, it's fair to say that Collins' ambiguity was purposeful in this regard. So the question isn't, "Is Katniss white?" but "Could Katniss possibly be anything other than white?"
In casting only for Caucasian performers, the filmmakers seem to close the door on that possibility. But as in the racebending issue surrounding last year's Avatar: The Last Airbender (a controversy unlikely to continue unless sequels follow, which they won't), is that move warranted by the material or simply another case of Hollywood whitewashing? There aren't many good reasons for excluding non-white performers from consideration based on Collins' books and characters, aside from the desire to appeal to the dominant paradigm in the film's marketing materials. If Collins is on board with this and has any argument in favor of the casting move, she should start explaining.
Still, it's unclear if the ethnic criterion applies to the 50 actresses who have already read in person for the role, or if the limitation is in place to filter results of Lionsgate's open casting call, which has garnered over 1600 resumes from unknowns according to the WSJ. Just based on the numbers, you'd think that Zane and director Gary Ross have given consideration to the dozen or so established young actresses who've been championed by fans, including Chloe Moretz, Oscar nominee Hailee Steinfeld, The Vampire Diaries' Malese Jow and The Twilight Saga's Jodelle Ferland - the latter two of whom would give Katniss a more ethnic feel. (Both Jow and Ferland made the shortlist for Movieline's Hunger Games casting gallery, but were omitted on the basis of Jow's age and Ferland's unproven action chops, respectively.)
Which brings us to the second troubling requirement in Lionsgate's casting breakdown, which specifically targets teenagers as young as 15 years old: What does it mean to look "underfed but strong," and does such wording send an unhealthy message out to the thousands of Katniss hopefuls dreaming of being plucked from obscurity for the part?
Alternate words that might have conveyed Katniss's small stature, which the books explain as the product of living on a limited food supply and having to hunt to provide for her family, include: Lean, petite, athletic, wiry. All physical traits, but considerably less suggestive than "underfed."
I mean, yes. It's called The Hunger Games. But does that mean its star has to look like she's been starving before the cameras roll? Sound off below, Mockingjays.
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I think I flip-flop on the racial casting issue every time it comes up. As a reasonably pragmatic person of Asian descent, I'll say this: if it isn't written specifically for a race, it ain't getting cast that way. And I say that with no ire or criticism. Unless an established megastar who happens to be non-white (e.g. Will Smith) shows interest, it'll get cast for Hollywood's primary demographic. Why wouldn't it? ("Why not?!" cries the other part of my brain. Because. Just because.)
By the way, I'm not at all familiar with the source material, but if this is another fantasy world in which the hero/heroine is of mysterious ancestry, then obviously s/he is the villain's progeny. I'm calling it now.
I read the Hunger Games trilogy and through the entire story I kind of pictured that entire world as one that existed so far in the future that races had become mixed to a point of becoming almost one. There were exceptions in the various districts that had been separated where some were darker than others, but I didn't picture a single character as a "white" or "black" or "Asian" character specifically. So, this news has me worried that they're trying to prey on the Twilight demographic by casting characters that are similar to those movies - a big mistake.
From what I read Hailee Steinfeld claims to be frontrunner for the role. She is younger than Katniss which should make certain scenes laughable. Doesn't look athletic nor underfed. So I think those are guidelines more than a rule.
Katniss IS underfed but strong. How about reading the books instead of reading too much into the criteria for controversy's sake?
You called it wrong! Ha!
Jodelle Ferland is more ethnic than Hailee Steinfeld? Hailee is part Asian and black, as well as white.
If you have read the books, you know EXACTLY why they said underfed. THEY'RE UNDERFED. That's half of the injustice the characters are fighting against. In most every district, the people just don't have enough to eat. They make repeated references to children starving to death on a regular basis. That's a bit beyond "thin" or "wiry." Katniss is underfed, but not nearly so much so as her neighbors because she does hunt. That's where the strong part comes in. I need to believe her as someone that can go into the woods and bring down a deer or a wild dog with a bow and arrow. But if I see any chunky girls walking around District 12, I'm going to be highly upset.
In fact in the story, Katniss's weight fluctuates considerably. She is quite thin, just short of starving, for most of her life, and then intentionally puts on weight when she's in the Capitol to help her survive the Games. Then she loses it again in the arena very quickly. I'm interested to see if they bother to portray this. Either way, she needs to have some ribs sticking out, not just a small waist. As much as I loathe to mention her in relation to the role, Kristen Stewart does have the right build.
As for the ethnicity discussion, I think it was pretty clear that most of the citizens of District 12 are Caucasian. They live in Appalachia, and seem to share many characteristics with the region's modern residents. Some Italian/Latin influence I could see as well, if you consider the region's history. But overall there are a wide variety of ethnicities in the story. Collins doesn't discriminate. There's even one lady that looks like a cat!
~Tara
Obviously, as Hailee is talking with Gary Ross, they are considering ethnicities. Despite what Katniss' father brought into her, she IS half white from her mother. As a result, I pictured her with olive skin but lighter than someone like Gale, a full-blooded Seam boy.
Katniss is the biggest role for a young female right now. My guess is that with all of the undiscovered hopefuls out there, they asked for the broadest range of talent out there to in effect actually narrow the submissions (and despite many fans thinking "Caucasian"=blonde hair blue eyes, it doesn't. It includes people of Italian, Greek, Spanish, etc. descent who can also fit Katniss' description). But, for someone established like Steinfeld, they'll approach themselves.
And yes, I want my Katniss to look "underfed" BUT STRONG. Because she IS underfed. Despite her hunting, she is burning calories getting that food. And anyone who will starve themselves when Zane clearly isn't interested in nobodies, they're delusional, and that type of behavior will be set off anyway.
I agree with Alan. I too believe that the world the characters live in has been mixed so much that there are no distinct 'races' anymore. A variety of skin tones, yes, but no individual races of people. As far as Olive skin goes, a peek at Wikipedia tells you that any number of individuals can have it, including those of northern European descent. It's not limited to just certain races such as Latino, Asian, or even Mediterranean. Furthermore, if you want to discuss race and whitewashing, your efforts would better be used discussing Rue and Thresh, who are actually described as dark skinned. I would think that would warrant a bigger issue since Chloe Mortez fans want her to play the part of Rue too.
As for the portion about being underfed, it's not a bad or dangerous idea to look for actresses who are like that. Katniss comes from a world where she and those around her are almost starved. It wouldn't make much sense to have a chubby or even strongly built Katniss running around in the films. It would defeat one of the points Suzanne Collins is trying to illustrate in her story.
Please do us fans a favor and read the books instead of trying to incite controversy.
Hey,
Check out my blog for me as Katniss- let me know what you think, or if you have any ideas for helping me get an audition.
Sincerely,
Katie R
http://projectkatniss.tumblr.com/
I may have been influences by a recent list compiled by fantasy fans of things they never want to see in a fantasy story ever again. Well, I'm happy I'm wrong?
Hi Hannah - I did read (and do love) the books myself. I'm hoping for the best in the eventual film, but given the audience and the thousands of hopeful young girls out there who are submitting themselves for consideration, the above language seems particularly careless. And I'm glad Steinfeld's up for the role, for many reasons. But the fact remains that for the other unknowns out there, the casting call is now limited to only Caucasian actresses. I simply want to know why that is, when the character in the novel seems open to ethnic interpretation, and I'd like to hear the filmmakers' reasoning.
I'm as hopeful as the rest of you that the films turn out well and do justice to Collins' novels. And I wasn't really worried about the judgment and influence of those involved until I read the Katniss casting breakdown.
Thanks for stopping by and giving your honest feedback, all.
@Jen Yamoto. I think the filmmakers' reasoning is that they want to make a profitable movie, and Caucasians tend to watch movies with Caucasian leads. If you don't agree with that, try naming some financially viable minority leads not named Will Smith. It isn't about racism, it's about money.
You're probably correct. Does that excuse the filmmakers from explaining themselves, or make it any more palatable to the many non-Caucasian audience members out there?
But really: If they're considering unknowns, why should it matter? There's an agenda behind the decision to go white only, and it's not a pretty truth to acknowledge.
OH MY GOODNESS! STOP saying the fans want Chloe Moretz! NO ONE WANTS HER!
No kidding! The book is called the Hunger Games for a reason; most of the children who compete live in absolute, soul-crushing poverty where getting your hands on a squirrel or rabbit is fine dining. Hence, "underfed but strong." And this race thing is so irritating. Her mother is blond, pale and blue-eyed, same with her full-blooded sister. It's not a crime for her to be portrayed by a white person. I officially don't care, as long as she's a good actress.
I agree with most of what everyone has said. The actress who is chosen to play Katniss must be someone who does appear underfed/strong. I understand the point you're trying to make (or at least pretending to make as a reason to provoke controversy) in saying that the language used in casting could cause some unknown teen actresses to starve themselves and cause harm to themselves - and there are definitely people out there who don't have enough sense to keep themselves healthy - but, if that *is* the case, who is to blame for that? That person. The only person to blame for the choice they've made is the person who is making the choice. No one else. Accept responsibility. The casting director stated she needs people who *look* underfed, but strong. She didn't say to go out and starve yourself - and let's face it, even if she did - if you decide to follow it, it's still your choice - accept it. Or you can just accept the fact that if you have to starve yourself to the point of harm in order to appear underfed - you are probably not the best person for the role, anyway.
Oh come on!...enough of this. There is no controversy here and when does olive skin GRAY eyes and black hair constitute the characteristics of a non white person??. I read about how racebending.com over on livejournal by the way, was up in arms about this and that they were going to do something about it so I suppose they contacted Jen and here we are. Katniss is underfed but strong because she hunts. Hailee Steinfeld while a little young perhaps, IS mixed race. Part black, Philipino, Jewish...what's the matter?...not racial enough for you?. Not to mention a wonderful actress and if she gets the part we should support her. Enough already!. PS did someone over at racebending think they had a shot at the part themselves and were turned down?.
Jen with all do respect...are you suggesting that they cast an Asian actress?...or a Black actress?...because if Katniss character had been described specifically as Asian or Black or Indian than I would say absolutely cast an Asian actress or a Black actress or an Indian actress. However, she was not described that way. Black hair, gray eyes and olive skin could possibly mean Italian, French or, Greek perhaps (I have a cousin who has black hair gray/blue eyes AND olive skin and she's Irish!). If Collins had written that Katniss was of Asian, Black, Indian or ANYTHING other than white I would say you are correct...you have a point. However, Collins did not so, you really have no basis for an argument.
How is an audience supposed to believe that a Latina or Asian girl is the full-blooded daughter and sister of fair-haired, pale-skinned OBVIOUSLY white women? Why is it so wrong to have a white Katniss? Suzanne Collins is white. Authors write about what they know. Get over it. There are other races and ethnicities discussed in the books. The facts have it that Katniss and her family live in a futuristic Appalachia (an area that is quite white and moreover, pretty damn racist.) Rue, her friend, grew up in an "agricultural" district where people are treated like slaves. She's described as "dark". She's probably black. Some people, like those in the Capitol, are described as catlike with thin, pointed features. This could be Asian. Obviously, there are plenty of opportunities for a mixed-race cast. Lay off the casting director.
Furthermore, the description of "underfed" does not have to mean "anorexic". The people where Katniss live are in an extreme poverty. Katniss first meets Peeta when she's actually starving to death. It's the number one cause of death where Katniss lives.
The moral of the story is that people need to stop being so politically correct.
They omitted Malese Jow because of her age? Yeah... right... quote "must be between the ages of 15-20"!!! Malese just turned 20 two weeks ago!!! What a ridiculous excuse is that? They're just whitewashing the main characters. This will only result in a boycott campaign and I'm all in. >:(
This will get messy. I promise you that Lionsgate! Be prepared. 😉
"when does olive skin GRAY eyes and black hair constitute the characteristics of a non white person" -- I think the point is that they don't constitute exclusively the characteristics of white people exclusively. Maybe you don't know many non-white people.
I've never read the hunger games, but the role sounds like it was designed perfectly for Kaya Scodelario- between 15 and 20, caucasian witha slightly olive-y skin (Kaya has a portugese parent), underfed (kaya is notoriouslly skinny) with beauty under her tomboyishness, brunette hair and stunning grey eyes. None of the other mentioned actresses match the role so well. The only problem is getting a good american accent out of Kaya, who has a very, very english accent. Still, she sounds absolutely perfect, and her acting abiltity is more than good enough for the role!
Nosferatu...are you kidding ?(you're either with racebending.com and getting panicky that you're accusations of racebending are ALREADY losing steam) or, you're just a run of the mill troll. Anyway, a boycott?!!?....yeah, right. It will get messy? no...it won't because people already see that you have some other agenda (maybe you're with another studio that is just trying to cause trouble for what will be a monster of a franchise?.) Either way, you have no argument. Nowhere did any of the MAJOR media outlets eeven come close to the kinds of accusations that these guys are desperately trying to sell.
Oh it will get messy, just not the way you think. 🙂 Sorry, but I am in no way affiliated with racebending.com. But they made a point. And whitewashing is very real, but people like you are just ignorant and can't see the forest for the trees.
Yeeeeah, I'm actually working for Warner Bros. on Clash of the Titans 2 - Uh, ya got me. Damn. :/ - "what will be a monster of a franchise?" I believe what you meant to say was "what could become a monster of a franchise", isn't that right? 🙂 Nothing is written in stone.
Unsere Wünsche sind Vorgefühle der Fähigkeiten, die in uns liegen. Vorboten desjenigen, was wir zu leisten imstande sein werden. 😉
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