Or maybe just the weaboos. Not entirely sure. http://hollywoodinsider.e...8/12/shyamalan-casts.html
So anyway. Avatar fans are pissed because nobody in that cast list is asian. I can understand.
Hey you can't fight Hollywood. If you've ever read or heard of Ursula K. Le Guin's Earthsea Trilogy. You'll know that all of the main characters have brown skin and reddish colored hair. In fact a lot of the villians are fair skinned. (white)
But EVERYTIME her books are translated into visual media for the public you know what they do? Hire white people to play the rolls. When the books clearly state time after time that the main character has brown skin! That means use anyone ANYONE who ISN'T white and they totally ignore that.
Possibly because the producer/director or whoever felt that nobody would watch the series if the main cast was african american or indian or native american or anything that isn't white. (Because the genre of fantasy is only meant for white people! bleh!)
A lot of people are saying its insulting to Asians which strikes me as odd because aren't the guys who came up with Avatar. The masterminds of the incredible series non-asian themselves?
So I quickly started to rethink my stance. Or at least put it in perspective. Yes its true that the setting of Avatar is definately asian themed. But the voice actors are like...non asian. Despite a few exceptions not even the character design is all that asian (IN MY OPINION) See I have this weird habit of looking at the anime art style in general and constantly asking myself why, if this is set in japan, do none of these damn characters LOOK japanese? They always look Western to me ignoring the surroundings and the clothing and all that. I can kinda see what the cast director is trying to do.
Now my question is. Who is actually putting up the most fuss? The younger people of which Avatar's demographic TRUELY is. (or meant to be at least) Or a bunch of old people (anime enthused adults.) who latched onto this series because its cool for a kid's show.
I mean seriously IS Avatar a refreshing depature from white america media? Aint the guys who made Avatar white? The voice actors. White. They characters (save a couple) LOOK white. Nobody LOOKS Asian I don't see how this is a real departure from "white media" Especially since today cartoons are becoming more and more politically correct thus including a whole rainbow of ethnicity in the cast. Where are these anti white protesters getting this from?
And what exactly did Avatar inspire in Asian Americans? To become benders?
EDIT: Oh and here is a link about writing protest letters or something. http://aang-aint-white.livejournal.com/646.html
This part interests me the most (
To Ms. Kennedy and Mr. Marshall:
I'm writing today in regards to the cast of the upcoming Nickelodeon Film, "The Last Airbender." On December 9th, Entertainment Weekly published an article revealing director M. Night Shyamalan's hoped-for cast for the film, and I am offended by the decisions he and Paramount Pictures have made.
The Nickelodeon show "Avatar: The Last Airbender," on which this film is based, featured Asian and Inuit characters in a fantasy setting inspired and informed by a variety of Asian and Inuit cultures. The characters fight with East Asian martial arts, have Asian or Inuit features, dress in Asian or Inuit clothing, and write with Chinese characters. The cast and setting were a refreshing departure from predominantly white American media, and were a large part of the show's appeal as well as an inspiration to many Asian American children.
I am disappointed to read that the four actors selected to play the lead roles are all white. While the casting is not final, the statement has already been made: this film will take a culturally Asian and Inuit world and populate it with white actors. Orientalism this obvious and this dramatic is inexcusable, and I would urge Shyamalan and Paramount Pictures to reconsider their casting choices. Asian characters in a world built from Asian cultures should be played by Asian actors.
If Paramount Pictures continues to go forward with this cast, I will not be supporting this film with my money, and I will encourage my friends and family to do the same.
Sincerely,
[Your name and signature]
*pukes* @ the term 'weaboo'
Repulsive.
*pukes* @ the term 'weaboo'
Repulsive.
How does it repulse you? My use of it?
If by repulsive you mean descriptive.
Hey I like 'anime'. But demanding that a cartoon, where the only occurring Asian theme was the ambiance, suddenly have Asian only actors? I think that statement itself is sufficient. I guess I could add something about the fans being racist, but that seems a tad overboard and tangental.
~Rico
LOL @ DB Vulpix using weaboo, a term used to describe whites who obsesses over Japanese stuff, when Avatar is an American cartoon that takes stuff from CHINESE myths.
LOL @ DB Vulpix using weaboo, a term used to describe whites who obsesses over Japanese stuff, when Avatar is an American cartoon that takes stuff from CHINESE myths.
Actually Avatar is a blend of Asian cultures. But yes it does seen mostly chinese. I use the term weaboo to describe people who obsess over Anime and use it as their gateway to a culture they know nothing about. Instead of, ya know, actually studying the culture proper.
<strong class="quote-title"
B Vulpix wrote:
*pukes* @ the term 'weaboo'
Repulsive.
How does it repulse you? My use of it?
No, not your use of it. Not your use of it at all. Just the term in general. Say 'weaboo' at least 10 times consecutively and try to NOT sound twattish. It's impossible!
It was used correctly. Unless I am misreading, this article is about some overly obsessed anime fans saying the Avatar movie should star only Asian actors. Seriously folks. Can't we just have GOOD actors play the parts? You people paid 14 bucks to see a white guy star in a movie called The Last Samurai. Why is this even mentionable?
~Rico
Okay, using white actors for Katara and Sokka (and relatives of theirs) is a bit wierd. They don't look asian though. Don't see the problem for the rest since like you said, they look white in the series o.o If you're particularly determined I guess you could argue that Aang could be played by an asian but yeah i dunno.
In the end none of them are technically "asian" after all or anything because their world doesn't have an Asia! Or an America or a Europe or any of our continents! Oh look how witty I am
But yeah seriously their ethnicities are probably completely different from the real world, so I don't think it really matters what ethnicity the actors are as long as they look sort of like their animated counterparts. And act well of course
Okay, using white actors for Katara and Sokka (and relatives of theirs) is a bit wierd. They don't look asian though.
Someone Indonisian would work best, I think.
Hire people with dark skin complexions for Katar and Sokka and the Moon princess.
Aang probably should be Asian that I will say. The same goes for Mei, Zuko's love interest. Heck maybe even Zuko should be asian too. But other characters like Azula and Ty Lee. When I look at them they overwhelm me with how non asian they are. And that goes for a number of other characters. In fact Uncle Iroh was like...the only character voiced by an actual Japanese person. Makoto Iwamatsu. God rest his soul.
Seriously, I've never even watched this damn show. Could be decent though.
Seriously, I've never even watched this damn show. Could be decent though.
It's not all that bad. I've seen better, but I still recommend watching at least a few episodes.
Okay, using white actors for Katara and Sokka (and relatives of theirs) is a bit wierd. They don't look asian though.
Someone Indonisian would work best, I think.
I think thats the problem. Are there any Indonisian people in Hollywood? They probably care more about using big names than to be acurate.
<strong class="quote-title"
Okay, using white actors for Katara and Sokka (and relatives of theirs) is a bit wierd. They don't look asian though.
Someone Indonisian would work best, I think.
I think thats the problem. Are there any Indonisian people in Hollywood? They probably care more about using big names than to be acurate.
I only know of two, but I don't think they'd be the right actors to use.
I was talking to a person about this on DA. He or She pretty much said that they are tired of being portrayed as
"JAKE LONG AMERICAN CHINESE KUNGFU DRAGON TEA GINSEG etc. Its annoying to see the casting take a step backwards from the integration of different cultures in popular entertainment, especially when it would be so easy to work it in."
I guess I can't argue with that Logic O_o. I assume this person is Asian.
But its never officially stated at any point that these characters are asian. And like somebody said before this isn't even real world Earth. To say that the entire cast should be asian is kind of well...cut offish to me. For all the non-asian kids who like this show. But well...who am I to say.
Kal Penn for Sokka!!!
Cause that's probably (PROBABLY) be the only redeeming factor for me to spend $14 on anything that M. Night Shyamalan touches.
Kal Penn for Sokka!!!
Cause that's probably (PROBABLY) be the only redeeming factor for me to spend $14 on anything that M. Night Shyamalan touches.
you know? that's probably the reason why i will not. under any circumstance see this movie. M.Night isn't worth it. and before i get the "ah, give 'im a chance!" i won't. he's had way too many movies that show promise but contradict themselves.
All of this could be avoided if the movie were animated instead of Live Action. In fact I'd prefer if it were animated with a large budget. I have a gut feeling live action Avatar will make me cringe.
This is funny because I always saw Katara and Sokka and the rest of the waterbenders as supposed to be Indian, as in American Indian/Native American/whatever term du jour you prefer. Between their complexion and their culture, they seemed more Inuit than anything else. Granted that gives them Asian origins, but still.
I always thought that girl who was the main character in the movie Whale Rider would make a good Katara, but she's too old now.
Oh well.
There are always new and upcoming actors, but no one ever considers them, and that is why they cry.
M. Night Shamalamadingdong
I wonder what the big twist ending will be :3
lol I doubt he'll do that
He has, however, had a cameo in all his movies, and I have the perfect character for him to play. =D
Spoilz: MY CABBAGES!!
Hah does he look like that guy?
He could pull it off, yeah.
