Jake Gyllenhaal as the Prince of Persia - and the issue with Race

[slappahoe69]

what about that guy who plays sayid on lost? naveen or something. even though he's indian, i think he could pull it off better then jake gyllenhaall

 

[stchivo]

I actually had a classmate once that I learned was from Iran. He had black hair, but was otherwise just as white as me. He was probably almost the only one, but maybe that type of phenomenon is enough of an excuse for producers?

 

[GPScorpio]

I'm conflicted. On one hand, I feel that, since the prince was written as Persian (British accent notwithstanding)in the game, he should be Persian in the movie. On the other hand, denying Gyllenhaal the role just because he's white is just as racist.

Denying Gyllenhaal the role of prince of Persia isn't racist because the role kind of requires the actor to be of Persian descent. I don't know what makes you think otherwise.

I wonder how people of the Persian/ Middle Eastern persuasions feel about this.

I find it hilarious.

Why is it funny? I would imagine some just don't give a crap, but then I would imagine some do.

Because putting a big name actor like Gyllenhaal the role of prince is just funny. If this guy really is cast then this movie is going to be more of a satire then anything else. His already known as a white actor to me and the majority of my family/friends so that's going to take the edge off of anything he says in a Persian accent. Assuming his going to use a accent.

Has anyone seen District B13? How about the guy who played Leito? He looks much like the prince and has the skills. Assuming he could speak English...

Parkour scene from B13: [link]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GpOroM0g80[/link]

YES! He definitely has the skills and looks Persian. Although he can't speak much english. This guy is David Belle by the way. Founder of Parkour.

 

[Lord Beautiful]

Well I agree with you and I will suggest an actor that could Play the part. http://michiko280.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/kumar.jpg

Sorry but he is the only Arabic actor I can think of at the moment.

He's Indian.

 

[shadow skill]

Meh well to be fair The Kingpin was played by a black man in the Daredevil movie, but it is kind of funny that they cast a white man for the role of The Prince. Oh and for the record the ancient Persians came from Asia.

 

[qbert4ever]

Before this gets too far out of hand, let's all take a step back and remember that this is a movie based off of a video game. Does anybody here really think that having a white actor play a Persian dude will be the biggist problem with the film?

 

[shadow skill]

I think that the idea that a "Persian" actor needs to play the role of a Persian is the more offensive idea in this case, especially considering the fact that it's not some big artsy fartsy character movie. It's a video game movie... what is there to expect out of it really?

What are we implementing some kind of affirmative action for movie casting now? Right or wrong the casting crew decided that he would be best for the role, so they're going to put him through make-up, do their best.. and there you go.

I understand what you mean but this is kind of like having a black man play JFK. You just have to say "WTF happened there..." Or better yet find the absolute whitest of white actors to play Barack Obama for the movie we all know will be made eventually.

 

[Double-O]

I'm sorry but Jake is going to ruin it. I really won't be suprised if Jerry puts thousands of cinematic explosions into the movie as per his weird/annoying trademark. Really, they should Oded Fehr (the guy from Sleeper Cell) or someone like that. He's Israeli but he's played Arab roles before.

 

[stompy]

My beef is that they actually had a guy vying for the role that was able to ride horse, knew acrobatics, knew sword-fighting, and had royal Persian ancestry... and they passed it off for who ever they have now.

For those of you that are drawling a blank right now, Oded Fehr played the Arabian warrior in the two Mummy movies (and yes there are two) as well as Carlos Oliveira in the second and third Resident Evil movies. Technically he's Israeli and not Persian, but I'd watch a Prince of Persia movie with him as the Prince.

That guy?! That guy is awesome... he would be excellent in the role. As for Kal Penn, I'm not too much of a fan. I've seen his acting in The Namesake [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Namesake_(film)#Critical_reception], and he's not exactly one who does well in a role that needs drama.

 

[mike1921]

Well, the prince has always looked more white to me than anyone else, maybe that's because I haven't seen too many Persians, who knows, but I can see where you are coming from with this.

However, I also agree with WewontDie.

I would think it more racist or offensive if he were denied the role, in spite of his acting prowess and his suitability for the character, because of the colour of his skin.

Would you think it stupid to put a black person to act in a role for George Bush? Somebody like Omar Epps off House?

Only if we can't make a black person look white, I'm pretty sure we could make a white person atleast this http://michiko280.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/kumar.jpg dark.

 

[Fearzone]

To OP: have you not yet played the current Prince of Persia? Casting a non-Iranian for the role already has precedence. The new Prince of Persia looks like a frat boy after a spring break to Mexico.

Check this out: the Prince of Persia actor will be Jake Gyllenhaal. How much do you want to bet all the guys he kills are real middle easterners?

 

[shadow skill]

Yes it can be done because the fact that the prince is not a real character is oh what's the word I am looking for here....irrelevant. The point being made here is that given the fact that the Prince is a Persian in the games the actor playing him in the movie probably should be of the same or vaguely simillar background. It'd be like getting someone like Keanau Reeves to play the part of The Mandarin in an Iron Man movie when the character is quite clearly Asian. Sure you can do it, but it is still a bit retarded when there are arguably other actors that fit the part better.

 

[Alex_P]

Hey, guys?

Iranians aren't Arabs.

Getting an Arab guy to play a "Persian" hero is no more culturally sensitive than getting a white guy to do it. Arabs conquered Iran during the second caliphate. Iran embraced Islam but largely rejected Arab culture and rulership. For much of Iran's history, opposition to Arab cultural influence was a critical component of Iranian national identity.

And none of this really resembles the fantasy world of Prince of Persia much, anyway.

-- Alex

 

[Alex_P]

I was always struck by how prince of persia: sands of time gave all the characters mock-english accents...

That's because the English-speaking West's conception of 1001 Nights is deeply linked to Burton [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Francis_Burton].

-- Alex

 

[Zenode]

Dont worry

At least its not being made by Uwe Boll

THAT would be a disaster

 

[axia777]

I find it hilarious.

Why is it funny? I would imagine some just don't give a crap, but then I would imagine some do.[/quote]

Because putting a big name actor like Gyllenhaal the role of prince is just funny. If this guy really is cast then this movie is going to be more of a satire then anything else. His already known as a white actor to me and the majority of my family/friends so that's going to take the edge off of anything he says in a Persian accent. Assuming his going to use a accent. [/quote]

Oh, I see your point. Yes, from that perspective it could be construed as funny.

 

[Jamash]

Did people make this much fuss over Highlander?

That had Sean Connery as an ancient Egyptian, Christopher Lambert as a Scottish Highlander and Clancy Brown as a ancient Russian.