Oh fanboys... and fangirls I guess. You just can't make them happy. Myself included. Since we've been doing the podcast I feel like I've been making a better effort to look for the positives in my favorite nerd subjects. Its not easy, but I try.
Which brings me to today's strip. Earlier last week William Fichtner was cast as Oroku Saki, Shredder from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in Michael Bay's upcoming TMNT. Fans went berserk on the internet. They caused the internet's version of the LA riots. Why? Because Shredder is Japanese and Fichtner, from what I can tell from internet research, isn't even 1/16th Japanese.
So why should this matter? It was clearly okay with fandom when Idris Elba (a black guy) was cast as the traditionally Norse (not black at all) Heimdall. Fans cried, "an actor's ethnicity shouldn't matter! Its about who's best for the role!" So its fine if it benefits an actor of color, but not a white guy? That's fucked up. Now it worked out for Elba and Heimdall because the usually Norse Gods were essentially just aliens from another dimension in Marvel's Thor. The question of their race was never mentioned.
Now I know Michael Bay doesn't have a great track record when it comes to him treating our properties with any respect. I'm pretty sure Bay STILL doesn't even know what ethnicity Shredder really is. But maybe that doesn't matter? Maybe Bay's script will work like Thor in that the character's ethnicity isn't called upon. Lets focus on the fact that William Fichtner is a damn fine actor and regardless of his crackerness, he's gonna bring something good to a movie that may really need it.
-Gint
I must nerdily point out that Michael Bay isn't directing TMNT. He's on it as a Producer. Jonathan Liebesman of Battle LA & Wrath of the Titans fame is the one directing the film. Not sure if that adds any hope for the film or just more dread.
ReplyDeleteA very astute observation from a very nerdy reader! That's what we like to see. I really don't know if that creates hope or dread...
ReplyDelete-Gint