I would just like to add though that the weirdness never once bothered me. It's just something you go 'Yeah but he was fucking cool!' and move on with a great film.
Black Thor Actor Talks About Racist Comic Book Fans
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If he was white in the source material, then of course there's going to be backlash by fans. One shouldn't treat everyone as the same, one should take notice of the color of someone's skin, for they are different from me. That said, I did enjoy the character in Thor immensely.
The left wing uses the media for propaganda, blah blah blah. I don't think the western (especiallly U.S.) media is very left-wing in many ways, if by "left-wing" you mean (as I do) questioning the nature of of world and what really goes on behind the scenes, and who really controls the levers of power. Sure, it's liberal in showing a black guy as a Norse god (and why not?), but in the great scheme of things it's not that important.
When I saw the title for this topic, I actually became puzzled as I couldnt remember who was black in the movie. Like really, with all thats going on in that pretty movie, some people are paying attention to the actors skin colour? Wat.
I gotta say though, having been bluntly reminded he was black....who cares? Easily my favourite character in the movie, hands down. And like the good people have pointed out, wouldnt you be more bothered by the suggestion your gods werent even gods, then the notion one of them may have been of dark skin?
Side note, anyone at all who whinges about breaking canon in a marvel comic -> to movie transition (And Im guilty of this too), I present to you this question....Which canon? I mean like, they're so many different universes containing the exact same characters, that completely redesign entire aspects and origins of the characters...no one is going to be happy, so sit back and enjoy what you get really.
I gotta say though, having been bluntly reminded he was black....who cares? Easily my favourite character in the movie, hands down. And like the good people have pointed out, wouldnt you be more bothered by the suggestion your gods werent even gods, then the notion one of them may have been of dark skin?
Side note, anyone at all who whinges about breaking canon in a marvel comic -> to movie transition (And Im guilty of this too), I present to you this question....Which canon? I mean like, they're so many different universes containing the exact same characters, that completely redesign entire aspects and origins of the characters...no one is going to be happy, so sit back and enjoy what you get really.
to me this particular instance is more like ultimate nick fury; he was originally white, but he is just as awesome in his black incarnation, so it doesnt bother me.
there are plenty of instances of arbitrary casting racial diversity in hollywood though, so i certainly understand where the complaints are coming from; this isnt the first black viking. given that he is both a god and that this is marvel and not a direct retelling of norse mythology, him being black is a bit weird maybe, but the popular opinion seems to be that he acts the role well, which is whats important.
as a matter of fact, he is a welcome foil to surfer-boy thor.
there are plenty of instances of arbitrary casting racial diversity in hollywood though, so i certainly understand where the complaints are coming from; this isnt the first black viking. given that he is both a god and that this is marvel and not a direct retelling of norse mythology, him being black is a bit weird maybe, but the popular opinion seems to be that he acts the role well, which is whats important.
as a matter of fact, he is a welcome foil to surfer-boy thor.
ahahahaAlphavillain said:
good one
the casting is just another example in the long line of PC casting, he wasn't cast beacose he was the best actor, he was cast beacose he needed a black guy somewhere otherwise all the hollywood liberals would whine
but I do find it funny to see all the people who complained and started internet campaigns about avatar casting now totaly supporting this
good old hypocrisy
Casting a black guy as a Norse god is retarded. 99% of Vikings probably didn't even know that black skinned people even exist.
That's like making a film about Shaka Zulu and having a blonde, american guy play the role.
This has nothing to do with racism by the way. I'm all for Obama'2012!
That's like making a film about Shaka Zulu and having a blonde, american guy play the role.
This has nothing to do with racism by the way. I'm all for Obama'2012!
I agree 100% with u.Tiamat666 said:
Also, if they were going to go "all races in" why didnt they casted a latinamerican as one of Thor god-friends or as Loki, and an Indian as Odin?
Idk, if they had a "must put a color guy in the formula" they could easyly make the old guy doctor a guy of color; it would have made a lot more sense, than having a black viking god.
I liked his performance, but it was odd, as well as the asian guy colorfuly put in the movie by one of the Shiled agents as "Jakie Chan" lol.
Or now the odd trend to put gays everywhere.
I feel dirty. When I first started reading this article I was actually sitting right on the fence of this issue. I mean, back during the time of polytheism I seriously doubt there was a single black man that lived in the norse. And no, I'm not racist. If there was a white man in Egypt during this time I'd probably be bitching about the same thing. If the character wasn't a norse god I really wouldn't care what colour he was. Heck, I usually don't even care if you change someones colour completely due to casting.
But I'm afraid I have troubles imagining anyone in the norse even having a tan. I mean, these are the pastiest guys in the world. But all the same I guess I don't exactly care because this IS a god we're talking about, why wouldn't he be black? Maybe he just got tired of being a lame white man and decided it was time to be cool just for once in his life. Then again, why in gods name don't we have a transvestite god? That would be pretty interesting.
But enough with my own opinion. It's for me to prosecute some morons.
This 'liberal agenda' bull shit has seriously got to stop. Guys, you're not being intelligent when you make these great conspiracy theories. If anything you're just making your selves sound paranoid and delusional. I mean, you're with Fox News and Drudge report, probably the greatest two propaganda-bullshit-spewing sites of our time.
'Filthy culture of judaism'
I wonder what these morons are smoking. What does a black guy playing a norse god have ANYTHING to deal with Judaism?
But I'm afraid I have troubles imagining anyone in the norse even having a tan. I mean, these are the pastiest guys in the world. But all the same I guess I don't exactly care because this IS a god we're talking about, why wouldn't he be black? Maybe he just got tired of being a lame white man and decided it was time to be cool just for once in his life. Then again, why in gods name don't we have a transvestite god? That would be pretty interesting.
But enough with my own opinion. It's for me to prosecute some morons.
This 'liberal agenda' bull shit has seriously got to stop. Guys, you're not being intelligent when you make these great conspiracy theories. If anything you're just making your selves sound paranoid and delusional. I mean, you're with Fox News and Drudge report, probably the greatest two propaganda-bullshit-spewing sites of our time.
'Filthy culture of judaism'
I wonder what these morons are smoking. What does a black guy playing a norse god have ANYTHING to deal with Judaism?
You know, if they were actually trying to portray a real culture or society, I would get upset at them for casting people of the wrong ethnicity (for instance, it really annoys me when they have a movie set in Japan and cast all Chinese people), but in this case I think all that really matters is that he looks awesome, and he does. Besides even the most basic knowledge of how colors work would tell you that a white guy would never look as good in that outfit (it's a matter of how well the skin tone offsets all that gold).
Here are some issues:
1. Even though they ARE aliens, the general assumption would be that the Marvel Norse would have made note of a black god.
2. Stop changing comics characters. Nick Fury works purely because it made him more awesome, but in other places it's dreadfully unnecessary.
3. If there was a comic about African deities and the movie retconned a few of them to be white, you bet your ass there would be outrage AND lawsuits.
1. Even though they ARE aliens, the general assumption would be that the Marvel Norse would have made note of a black god.
2. Stop changing comics characters. Nick Fury works purely because it made him more awesome, but in other places it's dreadfully unnecessary.
3. If there was a comic about African deities and the movie retconned a few of them to be white, you bet your ass there would be outrage AND lawsuits.
I will say that I have some minor objections, but let it be known that I would not identify with either of the primary whiners, I am whining in a different category quietly.
Because of my ignorance of Marvel's version of Norse mythology up to this point outside of comic scans that I noticed on Google image searches that I wasn't looking for (and because I played Ensemble Studio's Age of Mythology), it did strike me as odd that this decision was made. I've gathered that he's actually an alien, and that his acting kicked ass, so I have no complaints over that.
Actually, me bothering to complain at all is a bit silly seeing as how everyone else has already said anything that I wanted to say. Anyway, all of this is done and only another marvel universe re-boot will change it. My bet is on it happening in 8 years.
Because of my ignorance of Marvel's version of Norse mythology up to this point outside of comic scans that I noticed on Google image searches that I wasn't looking for (and because I played Ensemble Studio's Age of Mythology), it did strike me as odd that this decision was made. I've gathered that he's actually an alien, and that his acting kicked ass, so I have no complaints over that.
Actually, me bothering to complain at all is a bit silly seeing as how everyone else has already said anything that I wanted to say. Anyway, all of this is done and only another marvel universe re-boot will change it. My bet is on it happening in 8 years.
After seeing the movie I can honestly say he was the best thing in it. And the whole idea like brought up in the original post is that the Norse Gods were aliens from another dimension who came to earth and were worshipped by the Norse. The Norse didn't make them up so they could be any colour they want.
It honestly disgusts me that this is even as major an issue as it is. Loki also has black hair rather than Giger as in mythology, where's the people up in arms over this?
It honestly disgusts me that this is even as major an issue as it is. Loki also has black hair rather than Giger as in mythology, where's the people up in arms over this?
ive just read the article i thinck that is a piss poor reason to hate on some one.As a comic fan of the thor comics hemidall is one of the characters that i really like and i really dount care what race or what skin coulour the acter has that plays him as long as he does a good job and not mess it up.But to hate an acter or any one based on the skin couler is just a stupied and pointless thing.Come on pepole it the 21st century grow up and stop hateing on peple soly for the skin coulour.
At least it's not as bad as the casting for Avatar: the Last Airbender. Observe:
Personally, I am still sort of against this casting role. Partially because I'm not sure if I know what his past work is, so at first glance I get a cynical feeling that he's thrown in as a token actor. But also because (despite what some of you may say) race IS part of a characters profile, their description. If you're going to change that you should treat it just as seriously as changing any other part of them.
It would be like (I don't know) making Captain America black. Sure it could work, but at the end of the day the character Steve Rogers is not black.
But on the other hand, he's not a major character as far as I'm aware, so him being in it is not as objectionable as my Captain America example. When it gets right down to it though, I shall save my judgement for when I see the movie. If he turns out to be a good actor, then everything will be fine.
Oh, and to all of you who are branding anyone who says anything on the issue a racist? I whole heartedly tell you to shove it.
Personally, I am still sort of against this casting role. Partially because I'm not sure if I know what his past work is, so at first glance I get a cynical feeling that he's thrown in as a token actor. But also because (despite what some of you may say) race IS part of a characters profile, their description. If you're going to change that you should treat it just as seriously as changing any other part of them.
It would be like (I don't know) making Captain America black. Sure it could work, but at the end of the day the character Steve Rogers is not black.
But on the other hand, he's not a major character as far as I'm aware, so him being in it is not as objectionable as my Captain America example. When it gets right down to it though, I shall save my judgement for when I see the movie. If he turns out to be a good actor, then everything will be fine.
Oh, and to all of you who are branding anyone who says anything on the issue a racist? I whole heartedly tell you to shove it.