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[cartographer]

Attempting to defend a casting process that was apparently shallow enough for the actor to not realize that the character was of Asian descent is sort of funny in its own right.

It was obviously an arduous, hard fought search where they just had to cast a guy who at best is typically considered mediocre and who didn't seem to know even basic information about the character's origin.

It would be wrong to criticize that though because I'm here to muddy the waters.

 

[- J - D -]

Nope. What I said is that he was judged by the casting directors to be the best fit for this role.

Best =/= only ok?

darkness, If you find that the anger towards the casting directors and producers of this film is perhaps disproportionate due to the lack of knowledge of the auditioning process and other related factors, then you have to realize that your defense of the casting directors/producers must also be faulty on the same premise of the complete lack of transparency of that process. Right? Do you know something the rest of us don't?

So who is doing more harm than who in this situation? Those who are criticizing the casting process based on limited information available, or those who defend the process that continues to harm working minorities, all the while lacking the same information?

 

[Gordon Shumway]

David Harbour's response (playing Hellboy in this reboot)

I'm trying to be optimistic here!

lol..Fair enough.

 

[TheGreatDirector]

That's really good of him. This probably the first time I've seen someone voluntarily withdraw from playing a character due to reasons like this. Hopefully studios take attention of this.

 

[KuwabaraTheMan]

Good on him. Massive respect for pulling this move.

 

[George Oscar Bluth II]

I didn't expect that. Dude has my respect.

 

[AntraxSuicide]

Ed Skrein isn't even a mainstream white actor, though. He's Ed Skrein.

So once you remove the "mainstream" qualifier, you're left with little-knowns and unknowns vying for the same role. A role that, in this case, is of Asian descent.

What situation is there at that point where it's a positive to cast a white actor to play someone of Asian descent?

People are pushing back against your argument—despite your allowing for the fact the film industry has a terrible track record in giving non-whites the sorts of opportunities at stardom as they do white people—because it seems to allow for the notion there could arise a scenario in which a white person is better at being of Asian descent than someone of that ethnicity.

I would push back against that notion too, were it to come up in a discussion.

There's no scenario in which Ed Skrein is the best possible call to play someone who is half Japanese when there are actors of that ethnicity available to play the part.

Ed Skrein seems to agree with this.

Yeah, I'd disagree with casting a white guy for this role no matter what, but if they were thinking (and actually landed) Tom Cruise for the role, I could understand given that he can apparently still drag corpses like The Mummy to hundreds of millions in profit.

But Ed Skrein? When your argument is "We just couldn't resist the resume and the acting chops of Ed Skrein," I'm going to be skeptical.

 

[Mariolee]

As an Asian American, this is amazing to hear and massive props to Ed Skrein for this decision.

 

[Anticol]

Poor guy, he probably wanted the role and did the right thing stepping down of it but he was shitted all over internet including gaf, the same idiots who call him a terrible actor and worst stuff are now applauding him.

 

[cartographer]

Poor guy, he probably wanted the role and did the right thing stepping down of it but he was shitted all over internet including gaf, the same idiots who call him a terrible actor and worst stuff are now applauding him.

If it makes you feel any better he's still a bad actor.

 

[AntraxSuicide]

Poor guy, he probably wanted the role and did the right thing stepping down of it but he was shitted all over internet including gaf, the same idiots who call him a terrible actor and worst stuff are now applauding him.

Oh he's still not great at acting. He just did the right thing as a person.

 

[Grizzlyjin]

Poor guy, he probably wanted the role and did the right thing stepping down of it but he was shitted all over internet including gaf, the same idiots who call him a terrible actor and worst stuff are now applauding him.

Lol, he's still not a good actor. Doesn't mean he's a bad person or that he can't be cast appropriately. Deadpool used him well. He did the right thing and made an even bigger headline than the initial casting. It's a step in the right direction.

There are probably a lot of Asian actors who would've liked to be considered for, you know, Asian roles. It's nice to want things.

 

[Zoe]

Poor guy, he probably wanted the role and did the right thing stepping down of it but he was shitted all over internet including gaf, the same idiots who call him a terrible actor and worst stuff are now applauding him.

He didn't know the source material, so I can't imagine he's that broken up about it.

 

[UnemployedVillain]

He didn't know the source material, so I can't imagine he's that broken up about it.

Roles are roles. If he auditioned and got it, some part of him wanted to play it

 

[Not]

I like Ed Skrein as a person now too

 

[AntraxSuicide]

Roles are roles. If he auditioned and got it, some part of him wanted to play it

Yeah, the part that wanted rent money lol.

 

[Chmpocalypse]

Massive, massive respect.

 

[Layell]

Some part of me thinks Ed Skrein will still find some sort of role in the film anyways since he was probably cast for white guy hots.

Now to see if this Daimio role is neutered in final cut.

 

[teiresias]

I mean, let's be honest, Skrein is not the caliber of actor, nor does he have the pull, to be one of those actors that can turn down work willy-nilly. Granted, he's not your standard theater major doing small regional theater to put food on the table, but he's not a-list caliber. The first thing drilled into you as an actor is to NEVER turn down a job (unless it's porn).

I think this may cause film actors to start drilling their agents to make sure they're not auditioning for or taking a role that's whitewashing a person of color out of the part. However, the casting directors need to start taking responsibility at this level for this and take some stands against the studio execs if they're pushing the whitewashing casting decisions on them.

 

[Owari]

What a stand up guy. A legend. Hopefully now other actors -cough- ScarJo -cough- will step up to this level of integrity.

Spoiler

now hopefully the director steps down from rebooting this franchise.

 

[Astral Dog]

Best Daario

 

[Slayven]

Scarjo is not having a good year.

 

[Rentahamster]

Does the character speak Japanese in the comic? Is he supposed to be Asian American?

I've seen people mention Daniel Dae Kim as a suggestion, but I doubt he can speak Japanese properly if the role calls for it.

Or, the casting might not be good enough and we have another Memoirs of a Geisha type situation. However, if the character in the comic is Asian American, I feel like it's not as controversial, in general, to have any Asian person playing the part.

In other words, it might be perceived as less awkward to cast a Chinese-American person for a Korean-American, English only role, vs casting a Chinese citizen to portray a Japanese citizen (AKA what happened with Memoirs of a Geisha).

 

[besada]

Profoundly classy of him. It's nice to see someone step up and not think of it as someone else's problem.

Does the character speak Japanese in the comic? Is he supposed to be Asian American?

He's supposed to be an Asian-American Marine who had done significant time in Bolivia then became a special operative for the Pentagon. His grandmother in the universe was the Crimson Lotus, a spy during WWII for the Japanese. He's not just "accidentally" Asian in the comics, it has a significant role. That said, he doesn't actually speak Japanese in the comic, so Daniel Dae Kim might be okay. The perfect casting for him is probably Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, but Skrein's choice suggests they were trying to cast him younger than he is in the comic.

 

[duckroll]

Does the character speak Japanese in the comic? Is he supposed to be Asian American?

I've seen people mention Daniel Dae Kim as a suggestion, but I doubt he can speak Japanese properly if the role calls for it.

Or, the casting might not be good enough and we have another Memoirs of a Geisha type situation. However, if the character in the comic is Asian American, I feel like it's not as controversial, in general, to have any Asian person playing the part.

In other words, it might be perceived as less awkward to cast a Chinese-American person for a Korean-American, English only role, vs casting a Chinese citizen to portray a Japanese citizen (AKA what happened with Memoirs of a Geisha).

He's a Japanese-American who was in the Marines and worked for the Pentagon. He doesn't need to speak Japanese...

 

[99Luffy]

Good on him, Ill watch his Transporter reboot in return.

 

[Rentahamster]

He's a Japanese-American who was in the Marines and worked for the Pentagon.

Ah, I see. I'm not very familiar with Hellboy.

 

[plasmawave]

Give the role to Watari.

 

[neurosisxeno]

Did not realize Ed Skrein was the first dude that played Daario. Interesting.

 

[Staccat0]

I don't think it's fair to lump ScarJo and Stone together in relation to Skerin, ScarJo is a 1:1 comparison as the backlash to her happened before a single frame has been shot and she still took the role. With Stone the backlash happened after release and she promptly apologized, Skerin took the role initially, if the backlash had occurred at a later date, he could have easily ended up in the same situation as Stone.

I think it's on the people writing the checks and making creative decisions. It's a classy move on his part, but honestly 90% of actors that you will ever work with see themselves as conduits whose job doesn't involve second guessing the director. It kinda requires you brain wash yourself otherwise it's impossible to do well.

 

[George Oscar Bluth II]

Scarjo is not having a good year.

She really isn't. No Marvel movie this year either.

 

[Sojgat]

Classy move. Good on him.

 

[the_darkness]

darkness, If you find that the anger towards the casting directors and producers of this film is perhaps disproportionate due to the lack of knowledge of the auditioning process and other related factors, then you have to realize that your defense of the casting directors/producers must also be faulty on the same premise of the complete lack of transparency of that process. Right? Do you know something the rest of us don't?

So who is doing more harm than who in this situation? Those who are criticizing the casting process based on limited information available, or those who defend the process that continues to harm working minorities, all the while lacking the same information?

This is fair.

As I've acknowledged, the process is fucked. I however decided to go to bat for the individuals involved in this particular circumstance and give them the benefit of the doubt.

This was, in hindsight not the best decision as it is an argument built on potentially faulty logic and gets in the way of the broader discussion.

Those however low key accusing me of being racist can go fuck themselves.

 

[Litan]

This is fair.

As I've acknowledged, the process is fucked. I however decided to go to bat for the individuals involved in this particular circumstance and give them the benefit of the doubt.

This was, in hindsight not the best decision as it is an argument built on potentially faulty logic and gets in the way of the broader discussion.

Those however low key accusing me of being racist can go fuck themselves.

No. You go fuck yourself.

 

[Anticol]

He didn't know the source material, so I can't imagine he's that broken up about it.

I am not saying he is broken for the role, he just got a huge amount of hate because people were looking for someone to blame.

The guy probably didnt even know the source material he just wanted to get a gig, anyway...

 

[duckroll]

Those however low key accusing me of being racist can go fuck themselves.

No. You go fuck yourself.

This is why we can't have nice things.

 

[Bobby Roberts]

I am not saying he is broken for the role, he just got a huge amount of hate because people were looking for someone to blame.

He heard a lot of feedback, and then he agreed with it.

Which is why he's now getting a whole lot of praise. Arguably even more praise than he got pushback.

Granted, praise & pushback != paycheck, but to be pragmatic as hell - he's gonna get another paycheck. It's not even a guarantee this Hellboy gig was gonna pay all that much. It's a low-budget Hellboy reboot. They probably blew a lot of the budget on Marshall & Harbour, which tells you how big the budget probably is, period.

That the people who were talking shit about the casting are now praising Skrein's decision isn't an example of hypocrisy, as you're trying to frame it —it's an example of consistency.

It's remarkable because nobody's ever really seen a guy who got caught up in some whitewashing bullshit actually do the right thing like this before.

 

[dancingphlower]

Good on him. Mad respect. Hopefully this sets a precedent that others will follow. I'm not holding my breath though.

 

[CaviarMeths]

Good for him. Glad that someone in that town is standing up for their fellow actors that don't have the same opportunities.

Watch this role just be given to some other white dude tho. :|

Let the Ken Watanabe fancasting begin.

 

[MHWilliams]

Does the character speak Japanese in the comic? Is he supposed to be Asian American?

I've seen people mention Daniel Dae Kim as a suggestion, but I doubt he can speak Japanese properly if the role calls for it.

Or, the casting might not be good enough and we have another Memoirs of a Geisha type situation. However, if the character in the comic is Asian American, I feel like it's not as controversial, in general, to have any Asian person playing the part.

In other words, it might be perceived as less awkward to cast a Chinese-American person for a Korean-American, English only role, vs casting a Chinese citizen to portray a Japanese citizen (AKA what happened with Memoirs of a Geisha).

Ed Skrein

The character he was supposed to play.

One, he should be older. Two, he's pretty Japanese-American. His grandmother is old school Japanese agent.

 

[Nightfall]

That's a pretty ballsy move from him. He's not a very widely known actor and I bet it wasn't an easy decision for him to leave such a big project. That's what makes it more impressive.

I hope all the publicity he gains now gets him more roles. For this move alone I'm willing to throw my money at any film he's in next, don't matter what dumb shit it is.


Also bravo on the thread title.

 

[Figboy79]

And you will be casted for the generic 5 minute only but much more charismatic villain

See : Iron Fist

I will never understand how they passed on casting him as Danny. He even auditioned for Danny, and they liked him so much they wrote that villain part for him!

Me and my wife were like, "This dude is way more likable and fun than Finn Jones! Why isn't he Iron Fist?!"


Sigh.

 

[Ratrat]

Is this a big role? it would be pretty lame if the film releases and the new guy just has a few minutes of screen time.

 

[WarRock]

I mean, he still can play random BPRD agent #37. But yeah, good on him for doing this without giving bullshit excuses and good for the movie if they cast someone who looks more like the part. I am sure they can find someone not only more ethnically appropriated, but more buff as well - Daimio is a veteran soldier who never stopped working, after all.

 

[hodayathink]

I mean, let's be honest, Skrein is not the caliber of actor, nor does he have the pull, to be one of those actors that can turn down work willy-nilly. Granted, he's not your standard theater major doing small regional theater to put food on the table, but he's not a-list caliber. The first thing drilled into you as an actor is to NEVER turn down a job (unless it's porn).

I think this may cause film actors to start drilling their agents to make sure they're not auditioning for or taking a role that's whitewashing a person of color out of the part. However, the casting directors need to start taking responsibility at this level for this and take some stands against the studio execs if they're pushing the whitewashing casting decisions on them.

This is where I stand. In general, I'm never gonna criticize an actor for not turning down work. It isn't their job to cast the movie, it's the producers, and while turning this stuff down is a good move on their part, taking the role doesn't make them a horrible person that doesn't care about the plight of minorities, it just makes them an actor taking a job. The people that need to stop this are the directors and the producers and the casting agents, not the actors.

 

[Opto]

Legit surprised and impressed. His statement even puts the studio in the position of looking more like a piece of shit if they don't cast an asian man

 

[MHWilliams]

Is this a big role? it would be pretty lame if the film releases and the new guy just has a few minutes of screen time.

It's an ensemble cast and the character isn't the title character, so I wouldn't expect much.

 

[Branduil]

It's great that there's now a precedent for this. Now people like ScarJo whose career is 100x more secure than "Daario from GoT s3" will have to answer questions about why they accepted a whitewashed role.

 

[Figboy79]

Let's not go too crazy here. Skrein is an attractive, decently talented white male in Hollywood. He may ruffle a few feathers with this move, but he's going to get more roles.

I'm more concerned about Steven Yeun. His agent has his work cut out for him, I think.

 

[SargerusBR]

True Daario stays winning