All Caucasian Akira Casting Short List Angers Fans
That didn't take very long at all. Fans of Japanese manga Akira are already up in arms about the report that Warner Bros. is looking to cast the film from a list of Caucasian actors that includes Robert Pattinson, Justin Timberlake, Andrew Garfield, Joaquin Phoenix and Michael Fassbender. Who could have seen this one coming?
Racebending -- a website which, as Moviefone points out, was launched in 2009 for the sole purpose of attacking The Last Airbender for its white-washed casting -- has created an online petition for Akira fans to sign as a way for them to express outrage at Warner Bros. for the race-inappropriate casting. The key passage:
We would like to present the numbers from this petition to the studio to show them that all media consumers -- not just Akira fans and not just Asian Americans -- support keeping casting Asian Americans in the lead roles in Akira.
Good message, but there is one slight problem: As Movieline's Brian Clark pointed out, the Akira adaptation takes place in "New Manhattan" and not the "Neo-Tokyo" of the original source, meaning perhaps Japan isn't as important to this film as one might assume. Still, if this petition gains steam, don't be surprised if Warner Bros. quickly changes those character names at the very least. Put me down for "Tuts and Dan."
· Fans Already Protesting the White-Washing of 'Akira' Cast [Moviefone]
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O.K., so when you can’t argue with my logic you attack me. Grow a pair and prove me wrong….. the truth hurts doesn’t it.
So many use the argument of "There aren't any Asian Stars who could carry a big budget film at the box office". Well, how can there be when Hollywood won't cast them as leads in big budget films??
When you actually write a comment that even remotely resembles logic I'll be glad to argue with you. The difference between you and me? I don't need to grow a pair. I already have one.
Sorry to hear that, how did you lose the other one?
Um, I never had a second pair. I'm normal.
@ Sunnydays
Well how can I ever win nine Olympic gold medals in the swimming pool and beat out Michael Phelps when the Olympic officials wont cast me as a world class swimmer?
Note to liberal morons.... Hollywood won't risk loosing MILLIONS just to be politically correct. Now if they prove they can make the studio money, they'll sell 'em!
David Miner, have you ever studied film history? Asian cinema sucks? Have you ever heard of Akira Kurosawa? He is regarded as one of the greatest film directors EVER!!! Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, George Lucas, Francis Ford Coppola, etc all pay tribute to him as a master and an inspiration.
Kung Fu movies are corny? Have you ever heard of Bruce Lee???
Furthermore, American cinema is not that great right now. Theres no originality. Case in point - thats why American movie studios need to make a film version of EVERY single Marvel and DC superhero in the history of comic books. American movie studios can't come up with an original story idea so they make multiple movie versions of superheroes over and over and over.
As Movieline’s Brian Clark pointed out, the Akira adaptation takes place in “New Manhattan” and not the “Neo-Tokyo” of the original source
Right, because there are no Asians in Manhattan, and therefore, would not exist in "New Manhattan." /sarcasm
Its true HOW CAN THERE BE A BIG NAME ASIAN ACTOR TO CARRY A FILM IF ONE IS NEVER GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY???
Tom Cruise, Leonardo Dicaprio, Tom Hanks, etc were all unknowns at one time right? It was because they were given their first opportunity that they became movie stars.
Idiots!
Yes, I have watched Bruce Lee movies.... THEY'RE CORNY!!!!! And the only reason your Asian film maker is considered great is BECAUSE SOME LIBERAL MORONS DECIDED HE WAS!... just like you morons deciding sushi is good and coffee bean hycolonics up the butt are great to. And all those actors above actually did something before they got their big film deal.... EVEN LIBERAL HOLLYWEIRD WONT BET THE FARM ON A WILD CARD.... You see, those socialists in crazy ville like money tooooo much to part with it.
The reason the movie industry is having a hard time is because of all the back biting and money grubbing going on by all those libs in Hollyweird that care soooo much about providing for the needy... by stealing it from others and giving it to useful idiots that vote for liberals.
They create unions and then fight amongst themselves... You see, when you're greedy like liberals are, you can't get anything done... you always insist on more and more money regardless what the film grosses.... you demand and demand until it just isn't worth it to go on and you simply pick up your ball and go home!
Then, when some wannabe with a crappy movie comes along who won't whine and boob all the time, insist on more and more, threaten to sue, through a tantrum and end up in the tabloids for marrying a goat or something.... you go for it.... what the hell,.. Rambo 14... , Invasion of the Lobster People... what's the worst that could happen..... it only cost 10K to make....
The real crap Hollyweird is pumping out is all the stupid black comedies. The one thing those libs understand well is, if you spend 20K making a black comedy with lots of girls bouncing their butts in the air with lots of black guys using the, "N" word all the time... the politically correct black friendly black empowering Hollywierd crowd will bank millions from a black community that can't even figure out when they've been diss'ed.
Just drive through Compton.... the signs are everywhere!... Black movies that, if they were white movies being sold in the white community, would be banned because they would be an insult.
Who is "you guys", is that like "you people"? Who says I didn't have a problem with having a Black Norse god? It's not part of Nordic legend so of course I had a problem with it when I found out. Just like in this case I went to the movie websites with articles expressing my opinion. Is that all you got is the Black Norse guy, a minor character?
Like in that same situation, a story based on Japanese culture relocated to the U.S. should still have Japanese actors. America=/= WHITES only. In fact most of New York city has more minorities than Whites per population. A street gang is more likely to be full of minorities than Whites due to poverty. The NYPD will give you a long list of some dangerous Asian gangs running around NYC. I guess you don't have a problems with British actors playing Americans, but you would have a problem with Asian-American actors playing Asian. WTF. None of the actors on the list are proven box-office stars on their own.
Do you understand what being politically correct means? I have a feeling you don't. The story of Akira is originally set in Japan, is based on Japanese history of getting bombed by U.S. nuclear weapons, has Japanese characters etc. Making an American version of Akira with Asian-American actors is not being politically correct you moron, it's sticking to the roots of the story. Taking an old Swedish story and casting all minorities is being political correct.
Hey David Miner,
I'm sorry you're so angry because your intelligence is impaired with it's genetic abnormalities due to your parents being cousins and all, but really, the adults are talking. Now, I know you're angry because you can't come out of the closet and every girl thinks you're a psycho but your cousin, but that anger doesn't help prove your point or make you seem even remotely intelligent.
Now, go grab your Hill Billy family of cousin-fuckers and go away. Go off to your wilderness commune and keep banging each other until you degenerate into the big pool of feces you and your kind are all made of. You're making the rest of us white people who are down, look bad. You're not even a human being. Go run off, ferret!
Oh, by the way, Love Avatar? Well, besides the story being a white man's guilt movie, all the cool imagery you saw there and in the forthcoming SuckerPunch?
All lifted from Japanese Anime.
Seriously, go away. Go run back to your cousins and watch some wrastling.
I'm a white bred born Coloradoan. Manga and Anime rocks, as do many other cultures.
You know who sucks? White, Hill Billy, Jesus Freak cousin fuckers like you.
Nothing but a shame to God. Sad....
First of all America has Asian people too. They pay to go to the movies just like you do.
Second of all you might have heard of this little movie called "Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon" cast with not only all Asian people but not even speaking English. This movie was very successful in America. You might have also heard of a movie called "Slumdog Millionaire" cast with all East Asian actors, also a successful movie in America.
All I'm sure about in this movie is that the writing will suck. They might release it in 3D just to make more money. I'll most likely avoid it like the plague. This film adaptation looks really forced. I wish the producers think it over before venturing into this territory, I mean they are already getting vilified.
I'm sure I'm a part of the minority that do enjoy a variety of Asian films and could cite pretty decent Japanese actors. I think Hollywood or WB should search within itself if they really want this to happen.
Takashi Miike, acclaimed Japanese director, already has a poor opinion of Japanese works adapted in America. So bottom line, WB think about your lives and think about your choices.
@ White Shinobi’
Well, so far I have laid it down in no uncertain terms... I have answered all your rebuttals, I have seen through all your politically correct bull sh&%$ and nobody has been able to counter me with anything that resembles logic.
All you can do is fall into the same old liberal trap of attacking someone claiming your sooooo intellectually superior and then offering NO LOGICAL counterpoint. Is it becoming clear why you liberal morons are soooo predictable and sooo easy to shoot down?
Here is why we Conservatives know you liberals are morons. I this unenlightened hillbilly wrote this, if you can argue against it, DO! So far no liberal has been able to...
It’s fascinating how you liberals always attack someone’s intelligence when you have no proof of your position and the fundamentals of your ideology are failing you. I wish liberals would choose to be embracers of truth rather than inventers of justifications when it comes to your ideology. If you were seeking the truth you would see the error in your ways and change yourselves for the better. Then you would cease to tear at the fabric of the nation and seek to do good rather than evil.
There are only two ways to get anything.
1. Work hard and get it for yourself.
2. Take it from someone who did.
Ultimately, all political ideology can be put into one of these two categories. But there is another way that still requires someone else’s work and that’s to be given something. Conservatives believe in working hard and getting it for yourself, teaching and inspiring others to do the same and when someone is in need, to give liberally of your substance with the intent to lift up rather than make the individual dependant on you. This is the conservative way and it requires charity of heart and fosters gratitude in return. This is the key to living a bountiful life, fostering greatness in others, and nurturing the desire to stand on one’s own two feet that others might not have to support you.
When others feel the gratitude of the sacrifice of others on their behalf they desire to go and do the same and this is what makes a civilization not only civilized but builds a heaven on earth for those who have learned by example to live the higher law of charity by giving and receiving in gratitude and a true desire to lift up other people.
Liberals believe in taking something from someone else who earned it. This is done through progressive tax laws which establish different rules for property rights based on income and then create entitlements for the receiver also based on several factors involving but not limited to income. Entitlements do not require charity as an entitlement is not something to be grateful for nor is it something someone can give as it never belonged to them to give in the first place. This destroys the bonds of a civil society by destroying the human gifts of charity and it’s equally great and noble character trait, gratitude which this country was built on and Regan loved so much.
As you can see, all political ideologies involve either the distribution, (conservative way) or redistribution, (liberal way) of wealth either through a system which values the labors of all people equally by taxing an equal percentage of their labors ensuring everyone pays as a percentage of our efforts for the purposes of maintaining a government which can help to ensure our freedom, (the conservative way) or of by means of redistribution of wealth through some form of progressive tax law which cannot value the labors of others equally as it taxes them differently based on their income rather than their effort.
This is the dilemma which liberals cannot justify their way around and it is at the center of their flawed Ideology. It is also the reason there is no “moderate” or “middle” as in all cases, ultimately, one must choose to vote with either a black stone or a white one. Those in the imaginary middle either suffer from lack of enlightenment or a desire to avoid conflict. If you love your country, your family and others, you’ll always vote the white stone of conservatism.
But liberals don’t care about equality or fairness as they profess. This is evident by their actions and plainly seen in the laws they pen and the programs they support.
Now, here is my liberal punch list of fatal contradictions in liberal ideology and as many times as I have posted them I have never had a liberal justify away the fatal flaws. But I find it interesting that even when they can plainly see the flaws in their ideology they have the lack of character to turn and correct themselves; this is why we conservatives see them as un-American and ultimately, enemies of the state
David Miner
Here’s the liberal punch list.
If you can answer these questions without creating some convoluted deadended foolish illogical B.S. that liberals pass off as logical, then you win… But if you don’t you just through yourself onto the pile of liberal dead wood that already tried to deny truth and lost.
1. How can you have, “equal rights” and group rights, ie: women’s rights, gay rights, immigrant rights, Native American rights etc… AT THE SAME TIME? Yes, liberals scream about equal rights and then create group rights… It’s illogical and denies the act of searching out even the simplest truth.
2. Liberals scream about labeling people and then they create all the labels… refer to above and add, Hispanic American, Asian American, African American, Native American, and all other groups identified and labeled by the left.
3. Liberals spike trees, booby trap logging equipment and eventually kill loggers. They claim it is justified because these loggers are, “murdering” trees. Next, they fight for late term abortions.
4. Liberals think a 13yo girl is old enough to choose to have an abortion without parental consent… however, they don’t think adults are capable of choosing their own health care program, retirement plans, car, light bulbs, and the list goes on and on and on……
5. Liberals have a horrible habit of bring up slavery when they want to bash our hate filled country. Then they invent entitlements that require one group be a slave to another group in order to pay for another group’s liberal entitlement. Yep… one good example is requiring doctors to provide a percentage of pro-bono work. Yep… that’s slavery… oh… but that’s O.K. because doctors are all rich and they can afford a little slavery…. : ) Remember, one person’s entitlement is another person’s burden and there’s no “equality” in that!
6. Liberals like to celebrate diversity and then point out how we’re all just the same… , “I’m soooo glad we could all be here celebrating diversity… it’s soooo important we show the world, we’re all just the same…. : )
My list use to be longer but I left it on my other laptop and the short one will have to suffice.
But here’s the real point; I challenge you to find one… even one… just one… contradiction in conservatism. You can’t… believe me… I’ve tried. Conservatism is beautiful because of its ideology and liberalism is ugly for the same reason. This is why conservatives always attack liberals based on ideology and liberals always avoid ideology. Liberals try to defuse the situation by calling a the conservative an “idea log” in the hopes that that will somehow establish that there’s nothing useful to be learned from ideology, but we conservatives know better… that’s where everything comes into focus!
The steadfast pursuit of truth, no matter how un-flattering it may be to the pursuer eventually gives way to wisdom and knowledge. Something liberals never attain because in order to maintain their beliefs, they must shun the truth.
Now that you have explained it, you are clearly right in your thinking that Robert Pattinson should play Akira. Big win for you!
LMAO
Where did the Liberal Sh*t come in???
I am not liberal. If it was not for the US (i'm Canadian) movie going as a whole, would not exist...I do not go to the extent of politcally right or wrong...Politics has f*ed the world...I am the least political person on earth. I have my feelings, others have there's. I believe in to each his/her own, but leave me and mine alone...
As people we will never "all" agree, but we can be civil. LOL, that's just a dream of mine, not serious. ..
All i said was, i would never have been introduced to the Japanese Horror, if it was not for the remakes into American film...To me the story telling was awesome, that was the Japanese part, but it was the remakes that told me their story...I am open-minded enough to understand both sides, non judgemental enough not to take something like this so seriously, and how people feel about the way i feel, nor would i want to place judgement on anothers feelings.
This is how non liberal, non political, non caring about any of this is compared to what is actually happening over in Japan. Put f*in Robert Pattinson in everything, and i will be there. Deep aren't I. Never had a one night stand...Married as a virgin. Lost my husband too young. Now after 5 years i'd f*ck Rob's brains out in a one night stand ASAP!!! So i do not consider myself anything but me.
BTW, I love SUSHI & think the Japanese are awesome people, as are us Canadian. I obviously love the British, it's those damn Americans i'm not so certain of, BUT thank god for Hollywood!!!
My relply below mainly goes for this nonsence too...Oh yah, and i believe in God too...I thought Liberals just believed in themselves???
Okay that is just going too far...But it would not surprise me;)
Is this David guy for real...Tell me he is really Goliith and i will understand some of what he trying to spew...
I don't care if they dig up Groucho "F"ing Marks to play him... It's none of my damn business!
What if the movie was a flop because the production company cast someone I told them to cast... would I be on the hook to pay for damages?...
You stupid libs think its your call what other people do with their money..... but you're never around to take the hit when your political correctness poops down both its legs... That mess is for your victims to clean up.
When you have your film company you can cast movies any silly way you want based souly on race or sexual orientation.... what ever... but don't come wining to me when you need a government bailout.
IT'S NONE OF YOUR DAMN BUSINESS HOW OTHER PEOPLE INVEST THEIR OWN MONEY!!!!!
TETSUOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!
@Carolyn,
Here's where the liberal s&%$ came in.
If you believe that you or anyone else has the right to tell other people what to do with their OWN money when they're investing it.... WHEN YOU ARE NOT AN INVESTOR.... YOU ARE BEING A DAMN LIBERAL!
Liberals think they have the right to control the entire world based on their value system called political correctness and social justice.
They believe they have the right to demand how others spend their own money when they aren't on the hook for the losses, how other people raise their own children when they won't have to deal with the result,
In short, liberals want to infest every element of our lives including demanding how we think by introducing political correctness and hate laws that require making an assumption about what someone was THINKING when a crime was committed.
They start at childbirth by demanding child regulations on parents when they themselves are unwilling to have children of their own.
Then they begin the child brainwashing process turning child against parent instructing the little ones on how they can rid them selves of their parents by a simple phone call to the state.
They shove their values down the thoughts of conservative children in order to swell their ranks because they must recruit as they have an ongoing war against child birth and choose to under populate themselves or not to have children to pass their values on to at all. Then they're offended when conservatives attempt to pass their own values on to their own children.
Try teaching conservative values to some child adopted by a gay couple.... THEY'LL FREAK!!!!!!!!!!!
If you don't see what's happening your an idiot; but when you attempt, unwittingly or not, to further their ideologies like controlling how otIher people invest their own money or manipulating companies by force, YOU'RE A DAMN LIBERAL AND WE WILL FIGHT YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No, Andrew, the racebending people aren't racist, nor do they make everything about race. HOLLYWOOD makes everything about race--they make it about WHITES. Whether it's about real-life people (the MIT blackjack players in '21') or anime characters who are by definition Asian (Avatar, Akira, Dragonball), Hollywood ALWAYS portrays them as white.
And no, it's not because they need an Asian actor to carry a film: all of those movies I just listed used no-name Caucasian actors. If they used someone recognizable like John Cho or a major Asian moviestar like Takeshi Kaneshiro, they'd pull in more viewers. I mean, did you see 21 movie to see Jim Sturgess? He's a no-name British actor--the movie studio even paid a voice coach to teach him to speak in Standard American English so he could pass as American. Why didn't they just choose an American guy like John Cho, with proven chops as an actor.
At any rate, Hollywood movies make most of their money overseas, especially in Asia. So if it's about pulling a big budget, then they'd be better off getting Jay Chou, because then everyone between the ages of 18-35 in Asia would watch it, and that's a billion people.
Hollywood makes a conscious decision to cast Caucasian actors, even in roles defined by Asian ethnicity. Now THAT is making it about race. We all want to forget about race at some point, but when people who look like you are shut out by Hollywood, and when they are cast in roles, it's almost always as villains or gangsters, you have to speak out. But when you do, you're making it about race. Now, Andrew, THAT is a catch-22.
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