Idris Elba Rsesponds to Thor Casting Controversy as New Poster and Banner Arrive

Idris Elba as Thor

But let us not forget all of the caucasian actors that played native american roles over the years: rock hudson, victor mature, audrey hepburn, mel brooks, johnny depp, and mickey rourke, to name a few, and the many other roles of colored people that were cast by caucasians. The point being that since the invention of cinematography, the original and intended race of characters of color have periodically been changed to primarily be portrayed by caucasian actors. Not many people seemed to be in an uproar about the topic when the practice first began, so to have the role reversed on a few occasions seems not such a big deal. I feel the oppositions argument is less about accuracy, for what has already been stated as a fictional character, and more about solely not wanting a black man to have this role. I would like those who think to immediately dispel my argument to take a good look into the history of cinematography and show me why other such changes were allowed to push through, yet Mr Elba role should cause such an uproar and this movie should be boycotted?

casting

Umm...Kingsley, as noted above, is of Indian descent. Cleopatra, like every Egyptian ruler after Alexander's conquest, was Greek- not Egyptian and certainly not black African. Swing and a miss on both counts, Idris.

Casting

@Cinephile

Err yeah, check the quote fragment that i used...'It's so ridiculous. We have a man [Thor] who has a flying hammer and wears horns on his head' .

See what i did there, i took a fraction of the argument that i was referring to,as i wasn't referring to his entire statement (but you already knew that ;)).

Oh, and Ghandi was a non fictional historical figure, Norse Gods are based on fantasy (do you beleive in the Easter Bunny?) but i guess that doesn't count for anything Lol, What was your point anyway?

Casting

'It's so ridiculous. We have a man [Thor] who has a flying hammer and wears horns on his head' Mocking the lead character is not the best method in which to defend yourself against the opposition, a weak arguement lol At the end of the day Idris Elba is an excellent actor, he is playing the role of character from a fantasy land, i would say anything goes regarding appearance. Though Micheal Clarke Duncan should not have been cast as Kingpin, although he gave a realistic portrayal the original Kingpin was imagined to be caucasion. Its like casting Mat Damon as Blade, or Keanu Reeves as The Black Panther, but anyone stating that Idris Elba was miscast due to colour has no solid arguement since the role he is playing is not essential to Marvel universe, and the role is one that does not require the need to cast an actor of a specific race, besides is ignorance is bliss.

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• RE: Casting

  cinephile85 | 03.06.11 12:23:40 AM

  I think the fact that the people who came up with the Norse gods almost surely never saw a person that wasn't lily white is a pretty solid argument.
  
  I also find his comment about Ben Kingsley playing Gandhi interesting, as apparently his father's family came from the same Indian state as Gandhi. Sounds like he's potentially half Indian. Guess that doesn't count for anything.

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