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Stringer Bell Crosses From Bawlmer to Asgard

post #1 of 104
11/20/09 at 6:48pm
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http://chud.com/articles/articles/21...ARD/Page1.html
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post #2 of 104
11/20/09 at 6:50pm
This casting does frankly bother me. I have Norse (viking) blood in my veins, and heck, I love Stringer Bell... but the fact of the matter is that the vikings were not black. Their gods? Definitely not black



Or Japanese... that concept makes my brain hurt. I'm certain Branagh would never have come to a casting decision like that on his own. "Asian vikings? Brilliant!". This reeks of fan boy wankery on the part of the studios. "Those 13-17 yr old males LOVE ninjas! Let's put one in the film! Who cares if Asians come from the other side of the globe?"
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post #3 of 104
11/20/09 at 6:51pm
Awesome. Any time String can get non-pseudoerotic thriller work, I'm all up for it.

ETA: FUCK!!!

Really, Kate?

Really?
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post #4 of 104
11/20/09 at 6:52pm
I guess it has to be a decent sized part to cast a good actor. Even if it's only a few lines, I'm sure it'll be a nice check for Elba.
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post #5 of 104
11/20/09 at 6:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sean Blackwell View Post
Awesome. Any time String can get non-pseudoerotic thriller work, I'm all up for it.

ETA: FUCK!!!

Really, Kate?

Really?
I'm very much for Mr Elba getting work, but against the idea of him playing a white person when that makes no sense. I'm also against Keanu in 47 Ronin
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post #6 of 104
11/20/09 at 6:53pm
Anything that gets Idris Elba into more movies is fine by me. And as I recall, the Asgardians, according to the Marvel universe, are more sort of omnipotent aliens than they are gods in the traditional sense, so fuck it, why not? Branagh, go mad. This will be great.
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post #7 of 104
11/20/09 at 6:54pm
If Elba and Asano were playing actually people it would be a problem. But, this is all make-believe, so who gives a shit, besides racists.
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post #8 of 104
11/20/09 at 6:54pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Princess Kate View Post
I'm very much for Mr Ebliss getting work, but against the idea of him playing a white person when that makes no sense. I'm also against Keanu in 47 Ronin
Good thing he's not playing a white person but a GOD!
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post #9 of 104
11/20/09 at 6:54pm
There are so many good actors taking roles in this movie it awakens my original fear that Hemsworth is going to come off bland by comparison. I really wish they would have gone Alexander Skarsgard for Thor.
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post #10 of 104
11/20/09 at 6:55pm
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Originally Posted by Hundred View Post
If Elba and Asano were playing actually people it would be a problem. But, this is all make-believe, so who gives a shit, besides racists.
I'm against Keanu as a Japanese person in 47 RONIN. Am I a racist?
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post #11 of 104
11/20/09 at 6:56pm
I also have the same fear, he gave a compelling performance in the short amount of screen time he had in Trek but there's some real heavyweight's in this movie. Really don't want another Superman Returns scenario :/
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post #12 of 104
11/20/09 at 6:56pm
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Originally Posted by bob loblaw View Post
There are so many good actors taking roles in this movie it awakens my original fear that Hemsworth is going to come off bland by comparison. I really wish they would have gone Alexander Skarsgard for Thor.
I just rewatched GENERATION KILL. He would have been a better choice, but obviously the best choice would have been Kevin McKidd. Oh well.... At least they could have done better than "Star Trek Cameo" guy though..
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post #13 of 104
11/20/09 at 6:57pm
Well...

Quote:
Heimdall ... is one of the Æsir in Norse mythology, called the "whitest of the gods".
EDIT: I have no problem with the casting, I just found this amusing.
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post #14 of 104
11/20/09 at 6:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Princess Kate View Post
I'm against Keanu as a Japanese person in 47 RONIN. Am I a racist?
Sorry Kate I'm not trying to pick on you but apparently they've written (or rewritten) the script so Keanu's character of mixed origin; which of course he actually is.
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post #15 of 104
11/20/09 at 6:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by LazerRanger View Post
I also have the same fear, he gave a compelling performance in the short amount of screen time he had in Trek but there's some real heavyweight's in this movie. Really don't want another Superman Returns scenario :/
Brandan Routh was the least of that film's problems.
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post #16 of 104
11/20/09 at 6:59pm
Keanu's dad is Asian.
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post #17 of 104
11/20/09 at 6:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Richard Dickson View Post
Maybe he'll have "Male-lead-in-Michael-Bay-movie" teeth to compensate for that.

My big problem with this is that aside from the look Kirby gave them (as Devin described), the comic didn't play around with the races too much- Hogun was from a region of Asgard that was a parallel of Mongolia, I hear. Asgard in the comics is a huge dimension with a bustling population, with thousands, perhaps millions of inhabitants, so that aspect is believable. It's pretty safe to assume the gods in the movie will be directly linked to the Norse (as stupid as that may sound, I can see it being done where the connection is not mentioned).

so the problem is this- if they say that these are the gods the Vikings worshiped, Elba is simply going to stick out like a sore thumb. Unless they show that Asgard has the same huge population in the comics and we see a multicultural population. Which does make sense when you think about it- the myths and the comics have them concerned with the whole world, not just ancient Scandinavia. So I'm guess I'm saying there needs to be more than one black Norse god, but I can forgive their being only one as Elba is said god.
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post #18 of 104
11/20/09 at 6:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Princess Kate View Post
I'm against Keanu as a Japanese person in 47 RONIN. Am I a racist?
Why are you against it. Name on Japanese actor that could make as much money in that role as Keanu could.
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post #19 of 104
11/20/09 at 7:00pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by LazerRanger View Post
Sorry Kate I'm not trying to pick on you but apparently they've written (or rewritten) the script so Keanu's character of mixed origin; which of course he actually is.
Ah.... ok. Still though, there would be no white people for the Japanese to mix with at the time the story takes place. I guess I'm just bothered they won't let an Asian have the lead in a major film.

(Left over bitterness from how CYF's career has gone since coming to Hollywood)

EDIT: Also a half gaijin would never be accepted as a samurai leader, that's pretty much absurd
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post #20 of 104
11/20/09 at 7:00pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Princess Kate View Post
Or Japanese... that concept makes my brain hurt. I'm certain Branagh would never have come to a casting decision like that on his own. "Asian vikings? Brilliant!". This reeks of fan boy wankery on the part of the studios. "Those 13-17 yr old males LOVE ninjas! Let's put one in the film! Who cares if Asians come from the other side of the globe?"
Assumption = incorrect. Do you know anything about Branagh and his adaptations?
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post #21 of 104
11/20/09 at 7:01pm
I've never read a Thor comic in my life, so these articles are my first introduction to the world. I hope the movie turns out to be as over-the-top as these descriptions sound. Rainbow bridge!?! Awesome.

As for the race of the actor/character....did we go through this with Kingpin in Daredevil? And wasn't the end reaction to Duncan pretty positive and nobody gave a shit about the race of the character or the actor (except douche bags?)? Yeah, I thought so.
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post #22 of 104
11/20/09 at 7:02pm
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Originally Posted by Hundred View Post
Why are you against it. Name on Japanese actor that could make as much money in that role as Keanu could.
I care about the best film, not the most money..


Also, how do we know which asians can make money untill we give them a chance?

I bet if you got Ken Watanabe and filmed him being a badass, people would show up. Who knew who Gerard Butler was before 300? (He's not a star now, but they DID show up for that film)
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post #23 of 104
11/20/09 at 7:02pm
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Originally Posted by Bailey View Post
Assumption = incorrect. Do you know anything about Branagh and his adaptations?
I've seen most of his films, yes.
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post #24 of 104
11/20/09 at 7:03pm
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Originally Posted by Jesse Custer View Post
Brandan Routh was the least of that film's problems.
True and I enjoyed his performance but it wasn't very dynamic (in the script or the performance Routh was directed to give). I know it's asking a lot but if they were able to elevate the Superman character from just being "a overgrown boyscout" I think audiences would have had an easier time connecting with the character.
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post #25 of 104
11/20/09 at 7:04pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Princess Kate View Post
This casting does frankly bother me. I have Norse (viking) blood in my veins, and heck, I love Stringer Bell... but the fact of the matter is that the vikings were not black. Their gods? Definitely not black
Are you also offended by the fact that in the Marvel Universe there are Native American valkryies? Does the fact that they can include people of other races offend your pride in your "vikingness"?

Does that make make Hela a race traitor?
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post #26 of 104
11/20/09 at 7:06pm
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Originally Posted by neoolong View Post
Are you also offended by the fact that in the Marvel Universe there are Native American valkryies? Does the fact that they can include people of other races offend your pride in your "vikingness"?

Does that make make Hela a race traitor?
Probably not. Makes more sense than black gods. The vikings were the first white people to north America and probably encountered native americans. It's possible maybe an Indian god came back with them, ETC

Oh, and I'm not that proud of being a viking. They raped and murdered people. I just care enough that I'd like to see the issue handled correctly.
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post #27 of 104
11/20/09 at 7:09pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Princess Kate View Post
I've seen most of his films, yes.
Then how did you miss he often doesn't consider race when casting roles? Hell, he had Denzel and Keanu play brothers. Granted, there is a theatrical tradition of license being taken with Shakespearean adaptations with regard to things like setting and race- but for someone who has seen "most" of his films, it shouldn't be that hard to realize it's more likely he's carrying that tradition over to comic adaptations than being interfered with by the studio.

Then again your reputation around here seems to be as someone who posts more often than thinks.
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post #28 of 104
11/20/09 at 7:09pm
The casting of the adaption of...Marvel Entertainment's Thor is fine! I no longer get upset by casting different races for any film. I realized a few years back that there is extreme political correctness in the world, so complaining about it is just useless. I do take offense though, when people say that anyone disagreeing with this political correctness is a...racist! Just because people disagree with one another, does not mean that...Racism should...Not be tossed around like some common word. That is all I am ever going to say on this matter.
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post #29 of 104
11/20/09 at 7:10pm
The only leg critics might have to stand on is that in the comics, Heimdall is the brother of Sif, who's being played by the very definitely white Jamie Alexander. But Brannagh isn't obliged to keep that relationship intact, and again, we're talking about gods, who can manifest in any shape they desire.
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post #30 of 104
11/20/09 at 7:10pm
It's not about vikings it's about made-up characters. A big-budget viking epic would be rad though.
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post #31 of 104
11/20/09 at 7:11pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bailey View Post
Then how did you miss he often doesn't consider race when casting roles? Hell, he had Denzel and Keanu play brothers. Granted, there is a theatrical tradition of license being taken with Shakespearean adaptations with regard to things like setting and race- but for someone who has seen "most" of his films, it shouldn't be that hard to realize it's more likely he's carrying that tradition over comic adaptations than being interfered with by the studio.

Then again your reputation around here seems to be as someone who posts more often than thinks.
As you point out, there is a tradition of changing things up with Shakespere. When it comes to straight history/mythology, I find those changes bothersom.

Also, no need to be rude. We can engage without accusing eachother of being unthinking. I happen to enjoy historical accuracy. I'm an ex history student. You maybe don't care that much about history. That's fine. I'm not going to accuse you of not thinking though.
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post #32 of 104
11/20/09 at 7:11pm
It's no secret that I think this THOR project is among the most preposterous films in-the-making in a while (and I like some real daft shit!). So if you all can buy Nic Cage as a crusader returning to medieval Europe and Greeks in centuries-advanced armor, than I'm sure the wholesale disregard for Norse mythology shouldn't bother anyone either.
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post #33 of 104
11/20/09 at 7:12pm
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Originally Posted by princesskate
history blah blah blah
It's Thor.
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post #34 of 104
11/20/09 at 7:12pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by LazerRanger View Post
True and I enjoyed his performance but it wasn't very dynamic (in the script or the performance Routh was directed to give). I know it's asking a lot but if they were able to elevate the Superman character from just being "a overgrown boyscout" I think audiences would have had an easier time connecting with the character.
Different strokes I suppose, but changing the actor in that film wouldn't have changed the film itself one iota for me as a viewer.

This is just personal opinion, but casting Routh was one of the few things that Singer did correctly.
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post #35 of 104
11/20/09 at 7:13pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Richard Dickson View Post
....we're talking about gods, who can manifest in any shape they desire.
This, though the reference to him being the "Whitest of the Gods" gives people a slight leg to stand on but I've always found it weird when people get so caught up on the skin colour of Gods, it can get really silly.
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post #36 of 104
11/20/09 at 7:14pm
If "their" Gods aren't created by "them," meaning the people of the story, then who's to say what the fuck their skin tone is like?


Gods, by their very nature, can do damn near whatever the hell they want. I'd say that goes double with regards to their appearance. The Norse may have been white, but nonetheless, there were a shit tonne of black people on earth as well. A certain God may have very good reasons for being/"appearing" black.

And that's to say nothing of the fact that it's STRINGER FUCKING BELL, people. If you have a problem with that... sort it out.
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post #37 of 104
11/20/09 at 7:14pm
For the record, I really liked Brandon Routh, and felt that Supes was more than an "overgrown boyscout". I felt the film tried to address the burden that comes from being SUPERMAN
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post #38 of 104
11/20/09 at 7:15pm
Well, reading the Wikipedia article, the "whitest of the gods" could refer to his association with the ram/sheep, which are white, and not necessarily the color of his skin. There's also some correlation between Heimdall and the crests of waves, which are also white.
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post #39 of 104
11/20/09 at 7:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by joeypants View Post
If "their" Gods aren't created by "them," meaning the people of the story, then who's to say what the fuck their skin tone is like?


Gods, by their very nature, can do damn near whatever the hell they want. I'd say that goes double with regards to their appearance. The Norse may have been white, but nonetheless, there were a shit tonne of black people on earth as well. A certain God may have very good reasons for being/"appearing" black.

And that's to say nothing of the fact that it's STRINGER FUCKING BELL, people. If you have a problem with that... sort it out.
Explains my feelings more eloquently than I did, if only all the religions in the world would get this simple concept.
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post #40 of 104
11/20/09 at 7:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Princess Kate View Post
Or Japanese... that concept makes my brain hurt. I'm certain Branagh would never have come to a casting decision like that on his own. "Asian vikings? Brilliant!". This reeks of fan boy wankery on the part of the studios. "Those 13-17 yr old males LOVE ninjas! Let's put one in the film! Who cares if Asians come from the other side of the globe?"
Considering they found samurai armour in the dig at the battle of Visby I'm pretty sure there was cross cultural mixing at some point.

Quote:
Ah.... ok. Still though, there would be no white people for the Japanese to mix with at the time the story takes place. I guess I'm just bothered they won't let an Asian have the lead in a major film.
Wrong. There was plenty of cross cultural visiting going on in the eighteenth century including to Japan.

Quote:
I happen to enjoy historical accuracy. I'm an ex history student. You maybe don't care that much about history. That's fine. I'm not going to accuse you of not thinking though.
Much like the Greek gods discussion, there's no historical accuracy to live up to.
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post #41 of 104
11/20/09 at 7:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Richard Dickson View Post
Well, reading the Wikipedia article, the "whitest of the gods" could refer to his association with the ram/sheep, which are white, and not necessarily the color of his skin. There's also some correlation between Heimdall and the crests of waves, which are also white.
Or the way he dances!

Richard, you're not really bothering to rationalize it, are you?
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post #42 of 104
11/20/09 at 7:19pm
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Originally Posted by Princess Kate View Post
Probably not. Makes more sense than black gods. The vikings were the first white people to north America and probably encountered native americans. It's possible maybe an Indian god came back with them, ETC
Ah, I see. In other words you're taking umbrage in a subject you know nothing about. I'm talking about Danielle Moonstar, not an Indian god who was even around when white people went to North America.

If you want historical accuracy, where's your evidence that the Norse gods actually exist?

Need I also remind anybody that Asgard is a place that accepts horse skull faced orange skinned dudes among their honored?

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post #43 of 104
11/20/09 at 7:22pm
Joeypants, Come on...The Wire? Cop Rock was a better cop series! The good thing is Idris Elba, is connected to the awesome Hemidall, one of...The Mightiest of the gods of...Asgard. It will be a change for the actor to be in something as potentially great as...Thor! The best cop shows are...
1) T.J. Hooker
2) Hunter
3) S.W.A.T.
4) Sledge Hammer
5) C.H.I.P.S.

The only news better than the cancellation of...The Wire, was the end of...Ron D. Moore's Craptacular...Battlestar Galactica, the only science fiction series worse than...Galactica 1980 or Star Trek: Voyager!
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post #44 of 104
11/20/09 at 7:22pm
"You see these Jotunheim motherfuckers over here? I want you to extend to these motherfuckers all the hospitality Asgard is famous for."
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post #45 of 104
11/20/09 at 7:23pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Richard Dickson View Post
Well, reading the Wikipedia article, the "whitest of the gods" could refer to his association with the ram/sheep, which are white, and not necessarily the color of his skin. There's also some correlation between Heimdall and the crests of waves, which are also white.
How much whiter do you get than wanting to be black?
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post #46 of 104
11/20/09 at 7:26pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Richard Dickson View Post
Well, reading the Wikipedia article, the "whitest of the gods" could refer to his association with the ram/sheep, which are white, and not necessarily the color of his skin. There's also some correlation between Heimdall and the crests of waves, which are also white.
Also, this is an adaptation of the Marvel character, not the original mythology.
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post #47 of 104
11/20/09 at 7:30pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by devincf View Post
Also, this is an adaptation of the Marvel character, not the original mythology.
Isn't it mentioned in the comics that the myths aren't exactly accurate, or do they pretend that the stories in-universe line up perfectly with the truth of the gods' existence?

EDIT: And if one really needs a justification for this, the myths say that Frost giants could occasionally have beautiful daughters, and most of the gods' wives were frost giants' daughters. Loki (who was himself the rare attractive frost giant) himself had a wolf and a snake with another frost giant(which the comic kept). Frankly, a god having some random quirk with his pigmentation is nothing compared to that.
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post #48 of 104
11/20/09 at 7:33pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bug-Eyed Earl View Post
Isn't it mentioned in the comics that the myths aren't exactly accurate, or do they pretend that the stories in-universe line up perfectly with the truth of the gods' existence?
In mythology Thor has red hair and a red beard and drives around in a cart pulled by a bunch of goats.
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post #49 of 104
11/20/09 at 7:38pm
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Originally Posted by devincf View Post
In mythology Thor has red hair and a red beard and drives around in a cart pulled by a bunch of goats.
And he's not the brightest of fellows, either.
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post #50 of 104
11/20/09 at 7:43pm
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Originally Posted by devincf View Post
In mythology Thor has red hair and a red beard and drives around in a cart pulled by a bunch of goats.
I know that- I'm asking if in the Marvel universe, they have the same stories we do, but they have acknowledged they aren't always accurate. Meaning- do the Norse myths in the MArvel universe speak of a blond Thor with a brother named Loki? Or a red haired, red-bearded Thor whose father's blood brother is named Loki?
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