(no subject)

[yagathai]

So I remember the brou-ha-ha that erupted the last time that I implied that the live-action whitewash of obviously Asian animated characters was questionable ethically, morally and artistically (specifically, the mega-blockbuster Oscar-winning epic critically panned, turgid piece of shit box-office flop by M. Night Shyamalan, Avatar: The Last Airbender). Because of what went down last time I was initially reluctant to talk about this, but then I remembered that, like the honey badger, I don't give a shit. Also like the honey badger, I kill cobras with my teeth -- but that's neither here nor there.

This time Hollywood is whitewashing Akira, which is extra-stupid because Akira is a fundamentally Japanese anime that is, at its core, an exploration of the psychology and consumerization of postwar Japan.

Here is the shortlist of actors being considered for the roles of the two leads, Tetsuo and Kaneda:



I'm going to say this again. These are the actors being considered for the role of Neo-Tokyo residents Tetsuo Shima and Shotaro Kaneda, the protagonists of a cyberpunk parable about the conflicted identity of Americanized postwar Japan.

George Takei is far more eloquent than I am about this topic, both on his twitter and in various interviews around the web. Me, I'm just going to tell you to look at that picture above, and then watch Akira, and then draw your own conclusions. Unless they're stupid, in which case don't do that and just take it on faith that, just like last time, this is ethically, morally and artistically bankrupt.

Comments

[babyraven.livejournal.com]

Yags and I actually agree on this. Which means that anyone who doesn't agree with it has something wrong with them. ;)

[ornythopter.livejournal.com]

I know there's something wrong with me AND I agree with you on this one.

Is it possible they're combining Akira with a re-imagining of Disney's "Tangled" and this time the psychic power actually comes from the magicalness of blonde hair?

[saltedpin.livejournal.com]

I've actually seen people arguing that Akira is a universal story, so it's okay to cast a white person. Because white = universal apparently. I am reduced to making spitting noises.

[babyraven.livejournal.com]

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN I DON'T EVEN

[saltedpin.livejournal.com]

Hang on, I think I see Justin Timberlake up there. Why am I looking at Justin Timberlake?

[babyraven.livejournal.com]

I don't think you want to think too hard about that.

[thealiwoman.livejournal.com]

What, a guy who voiced Boo-Boo couldn't do a good job of acting the role of Shotaro?

[lawbabeak.livejournal.com]

I had my eyes squeezed shut or stared at an opposite wall for much of Akira, and even >I< know this is just WRONG. Are they going to CGI their eyes/skin/hair/everything?!?!?! Why not just animate it and let the white guys do voices? Wait...

This is sad. And bad. and and and... bad.

WTF.

[thealiwoman.livejournal.com]

I am trying to figure out their argument, and coming up blank. Seriously, you can't find anyone who looks the part? John Cho, maybe? I know I would pay good money to see him, even for bizarre-barely-understood-psychological-live-action-anime-remakes.

Seriously, can't find a single Asian actor, anywhere, huh? Maybe Jackie Chan or Jet Li could help you with the casting calls.....

Re: WTF.

[addienfaemne.livejournal.com]

He's Korean, but Rain is an amazing actor in his native language. There are issues with casting a Korean dude as a Japanese dude, but it would be closer and you'd have an internationally bankable actor (Rain's popularity is relatively pan-Asian.)

Re: WTF.

[addienfaemne.livejournal.com]

Also, his English has improved a lot.

I second the person suggesting John Cho.

Re: WTF.

[thealiwoman.livejournal.com]

I know he's Korean, but let's call a spade a spade and admit that the majority of the American (Western) viewing audience won't know the difference. People still confuse Chinese and Japanese culture all the time; Korea still doesn't rate as anything more than China's Carribbean in the eyes of the American public.

Hollywood has made major bank on Asian actors in the past (Jackie Chan and Jet Li, as referenced before). They would be lying through their teeth to say it wouldn't be a lucrative casting choice.

And, John Cho is free to create love-children with me at anytime. Just saying.

Re: WTF.

[addienfaemne.livejournal.com]

Oh, I was referring to Rain as being Korean - but yes, Cho is too... why are the bankable actors currently Korean? Perhaps it's hallyu - the Korean wave.

[xhollydayx.livejournal.com]

I. I DON"T FUCKING EVEN> I didn't hear about this (YAY BITCHY BOSS MAKES ME SHUT DOWN). NO NO NO NO.

WHAT THE FUCKITY FUCK.

[mrbelm.livejournal.com]

I only recognize three of those white boys, and I thought the one at the far right grew a beard and destroyed his career.

[addienfaemne.livejournal.com]

Let's not hesitate to call this what it is: racist. Privileging white actors over what is certainly a plethora of competent Asian talent when there is no reason to do so is racist.

And I don't give any truck to the 'well, this is what will make money!" argument. Hollywood creates demand as much as it responds to demand. Give Akira the talent it deserves.

[regina-of-york.livejournal.com]

I know it's too much to ask that they do the right thing just because it's the right thing. However, I'm somewhat surprised that they aren't convinced by the money angle, in the light of Avatar bombing so massively.

On a happier note, I adore George Takei more and more everyday. Thanks for the link to that interview.

[aghrivaine.livejournal.com]

I'll bet M. Night directs.

[thealiwoman.livejournal.com]

Well, then I would say signs point towards a conspiracy of M. Night directing movies that are racist against Asian peoples and cultures....

Which very well could be true, given the evidence so far.

I AGREE COMPLETELY

[yackersmaren.livejournal.com]

The first one I had heard was Robert Pattinson who I have seen in one movie and wanted to tear my eyes out and hang myself for ever even watching. I didn't hear the half dozen plus others you have up there. Akira is Japanese, it was an awesome movie. If you want to pay respects by making it live action then do so being as true to the movie as possible. But we are talking about Hollywood, no one there has come up with an original idea in...well seems like forever. Not only will they totally destroy the movie by casting one of the above guys but they will most likely destroy the entire story line, water it down and make it unrecognizable.

and one other small detail...maybe i am not remembering correctly, but wasn't Akira a teen? they are too old.

Re: I AGREE COMPLETELY

[glamour-junkie.livejournal.com]

@ yackersmaren: There's a lot of history with aging roles up, due to the perceived physical/mental limitations of younger actors.

Akira is also a heavier storyline than Hollywood might be comfortable with as far as casting kids. It's like the whole "Kirsten Dunst being cast to play the 5 year old vampire Claudia" when she was roughly 10-11. I know teens can handle limits better than five-year-olds, but Hollywood generally thinks that a film full of teenage actors needs to pull punches or be backed by Disney, and they can work more sex and violence (i.e. ticker-sellers, woo!) into films with older actors. And I'm sure they will.

[terraprime.livejournal.com]

Well. Isn't THAT special?





I look forward to the day of China doing an epic three-parter movie about the U.S. war of independence and then cast Chow yun-fat as George Washington.

[harrytheheir.livejournal.com]

I know you're joking but that movie would be awesome. A wu-xia version of the Revolutionary War would be freaking fantastic.