First look at ScarJo as the Major in Ghost in the Shell
- Thread starter Blader
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To be honest I've seen better Motoko cosplay than what I'm seeing here. Production staff leave a shit ton to be desired too.
Also LOL at people trying to argue obviously Japanese/Asian manga characters aren't Japanese/Asian or don't look realistic enough. The intent is SUPER obvious in all those circumstances. That many people think they look white is more a reflection of your upbringing (where white is the default) than the intention of the Japanese artists.
It's this same sort of thinking that keeps any sort of minority out of decent roles. To say nothing of the fact that its a point that keeps getting disproven time and time again.
Also this ^^^^^^
To be slightly fair to Japan, finding a Caucasian actor who can speak fluent Japanese in Japan is WAY harder than finding an actor of East Asian descent who can speak fleunt English in the States.
Pacific Rim is not the sort of movie people go see for star power or the sort of movie people get to show off their acting chops. Or are you throwing shade on the acting chops of Idris Elba?
I mean this is true worldwide - a fetishisation for Caucasian features. That's the truth of the world but it certainly isn't a good thing (since such feeling often have imperialistic roots).
Also LOL at people trying to argue obviously Japanese/Asian manga characters aren't Japanese/Asian or don't look realistic enough. The intent is SUPER obvious in all those circumstances. That many people think they look white is more a reflection of your upbringing (where white is the default) than the intention of the Japanese artists.
It's this same sort of thinking that keeps any sort of minority out of decent roles. To say nothing of the fact that its a point that keeps getting disproven time and time again.
Also this ^^^^^^
To be slightly fair to Japan, finding a Caucasian actor who can speak fluent Japanese in Japan is WAY harder than finding an actor of East Asian descent who can speak fleunt English in the States.
Pacific Rim is not the sort of movie people go see for star power or the sort of movie people get to show off their acting chops. Or are you throwing shade on the acting chops of Idris Elba?
I mean this is true worldwide - a fetishisation for Caucasian features. That's the truth of the world but it certainly isn't a good thing (since such feeling often have imperialistic roots).
OneEightZero
aka ThreeOneFour
Yeah. Low key Ramona Flowers.
DrunkShogun
Member
It can never look right. The major from the film is the best design followed by the sac series. It's unfair when live action follows animation because animation is able to be more visually appealing.
EdibleKnife
Member
Again, how is anyone supposed to get "bankable" if they aren't given opportunities in the first place? ScarJo is only bankable now because she was given opportunities earlier. It's a cycle that Hollywood puts on itself. You might say they should wait for some movie that's not as risky but it speaks volumes that they're not willing to try even for an opportunity as clear as a character called Makoto Kusanagi. Star power is influential but in the end a good film is a good film. If they got a competent Japanese American actress and actually had something worth watching, the film would have legs regardless. And if this film flops, I garuntee no one would be blaming the fact that they choose ScarJo to star as some sort of major defining factor in its failure after the fact.
radios shipping overview
Member
I'm gonna stop you right there and say I'd be totally fine with this
God Dayumm
Banned
The are japanese because an anime setting is usually Japan. But there is more than one ethnicity in the country, even if they are tiny minorities. So unless the ethnicity is specifically mentioned, you can assume that the character is what is looks like, and the Major looks very white.
BudokaiMR2
Member
No, but pretty much any artist will admit that they tend to more exaggerated Western features mostly because it allows for more variety.
And I am not gonna lie, I really do think that the if we hit a future where cyborg bodies are possible the Western looking ones would be incredibly popular. This is the country where pretty much every variety show has some completely talentless guest who is only there because they are a "half" and have Western features. Becky pretty much built an entire career off of that. She had more advertisements than any other person in the country at a time.
The most recent twitter sensation is "OMG THERE IS A CUTE BLONDE ANIME GIRL IN MAH TEXTBOOK"
Japanese ideals about beauty in mass media can be pretty fucking vapid and counter-productive.
I don't even know what to say regarding the bolded part. Really? A monkey?
So you believe that the fetishization exists, but you don't believe that it affects how artists draw characters?
I do agree that it is not a good thing and it is something that seriously affects me personally on a daily basis.
I am bringing up a half-Japanese son in this country and I am constantly reminded by Japanese parents how lucky we are that he got my features and hair.
Though, I would argue that Japan is unique in the fact that it really doesn't have strong imperialistic roots at least not in the traditional sense and compared to other regions/countries. I have always believed it was a reflection of how prominent Western media is in the culture.
spookyfish
Member
Oh wow. This made me laugh!
radios shipping overview
Member
This will be bad in new and excitingly different ways.
CosmicGroinPull
Member
Thanks for sticking with her signature hairdo, but nope, doesn't suit Scarlett at all. Nope. Nope. Nope.
Nope.
Nope.
UnemployedVillain
Member
There are definitely actresses that look more like her. If we're insisting on a white actress for...reasons, Antje Traue (Faora in Man of Steel) pulls of the somewhat androgynous cold look much better
Anyway, while I think they should have a Japanese (hell at least Asian, considering their general under representation) actress, I don't think Rinko is the best choice. Some people seem to suggest her just because she's the one asian actress they know and she's been in a physical role before.
White people are unbelievable. 98.5% of Japan is ethnically Japanese, with other Asians making up most of the rest and .6% making up all other non-Asian ethnicities. It would take some mental gymnastics to assume she's white
Chihayafuru. The characters have visual differences to their anime counterparts, but are still recognizable as them and are good real life equivalents.
She has a Japanese mass-model. I think it would've been worth to mention if it was something foreign. And again. Watch some anime, Japanese people usually look all over the place, while foreigners have very distinct features.
Can't wait for the commercials:
"From the guys who ruined the 'Spiderman' franchise, ruined the Ghostrider 'franchise', and almost ruined the 'Alien' franchise..."
Space Medafighter X
Member
Completely agree, usually characters that aren't asian are drawn with super defined features, I just finished Beck: Mongolian Chop Squad and all the foreigners have ridiculously defined faces (it's kinda creepy).
Chinpoko_Master
Member
I can't wait for the anime where all of the asians look like Aryan gods and goddesses, and all the white people have black hair with slits for eyes.
Re: "anime/manga characters look white."
Well they're still Japanese and are Japanese to Japanese audiences, regardless if they have large bright colored eyes or tall noses.
I can't really muster the energy to be angry about the casting choice(s) here. Come on, you see the predigree of its director and producers, none of it inspires the confidence required to get mad that they cast the wrong people for a movie that'll likely be a trainwreck.
Well they're still Japanese and are Japanese to Japanese audiences, regardless if they have large bright colored eyes or tall noses.
I can't really muster the energy to be angry about the casting choice(s) here. Come on, you see the predigree of its director and producers, none of it inspires the confidence required to get mad that they cast the wrong people for a movie that'll likely be a trainwreck.
RustyNails
Member
Bruce Springsteen
Member
I've seen her in many movies, she lands very big roles routinely because of her A-List status
just an absolute stiff
hobblygobbly
Member
Yeah agreed. It's what I find a bit odd with ScarJo as a choice, it seems they want to go for the 1995 Major (which I'm happy with since it's my favourite GitS), but the casting of ScarJo doesn't really represent that Major in its entirety, particularly as you point out with the physical build. Like others have said, she really looks like a character from Scott Pilgrim than Major (at least the film one any way).
In Ghost in the Shell (in general), Aramaki is noted for "simian" features and is referred to as "old ape" or "ape face" or similar in... just about everything.
You're right, I should just buckle in and enjoy the ride. But my microwave broke when doing a bag of popcorn and I'm just too afraid to try it in the new one. ):
WrenchNinja
Member
Even when whites are somehow a minority they get more representation lol
Dash_Riprock
Member
Ridley, is that you?
Pilgrimzero
Member
I like how they eventually tried to explain that it is the same Aeon set in the same world etc. it's just many many many many years in the past or something like that.
Doesn't have perfectly straight teeth. Why give a robot imperfect teeth. Scarlett has perfect teeth.
She looks about as 'white' as any anime character.
Japanese Mangaka: "I am doing this Manga set in Future Japan, about japanese issues and politics, aimed at japanese audiences in a japanese Magazine that is only available in Japan. My main character GOTTA be white."
You have a point but this thing goes too far in the other direction in the west. Just the other day I read an article about a popular Chinese model who couldn't get work in the west because she had double eyelids. This thread proves it, where people think someone doesn't 'look Asian' unless they have stereotypical features they are obsessed with.
edit: Becky wasn't even popular because of her looks and is probably one of the only biracial people to have ranked high for commercials per year. In fact she wont be replaced any time soon.
True Savior
Member
Count Dookkake
Member
Major babe.
The Elite
BOSS
One of the old threads had reactions from Japan. It was a mix of apathy to she could be good, from what I saw. Then again, they understood it was a North American remake so you're gonna get something catered to Americans.
Given how "Japan" reacted to other western movies that had something to do with Japan, I'd say they don't care very much either way.
God Dayumm
Banned
You mean blond men (sometimes) have very distinct features. In Code Geass you couldn't tell who is Japanese or Brittanian just by the face, except for the emperor. What about the X-men anime? The white characters look like other animes while the japanese character is distinctly japanese.
I won't argue against diversity. If they cast a japanese actress that would have been nice, but only for the sake of diversity, not for the sake of accuracy.
Yes, that's sad. Take it up with the artists for not drawing their own people.
BudokaiMR2
Member
Yes, I know of his nickname but he does not actually look like a monkey anymore than Julia Roberts looks like a fucking horse.
Seriously, that is a rabbit whole I am not going to go down. Especially since he is one of the few characters with real strong asian features and even looked like a principal I used to work with (minus the crazy hair)
He hasn't looked like that in a long ass time in any of the media. It is pretty obvious they are using the first anime movie as a reference here.
I am just gonna say this: Just because it was a Japanese person who drew it that way doesn't make it right.
That shit is fucked up and I shouldn't even have to explain why.
UnemployedVillain
Member
"In the distant distant future, cyberization has reached the point where humans can have completely robotic bodies. One japanese woman has chosen to live such a life. Shedding her past, her identity and all she holds dear...to fulfill her lifelong dream of being white"
Based on the popular comic by the famed British artist, Shirow Masamune and highly acclaimed American director, Mamoru Oshii
G H O S T I N T H E S H E L L
Based on the popular comic by the famed British artist, Shirow Masamune and highly acclaimed American director, Mamoru Oshii
G H O S T I N T H E S H E L L
It is way to early I think to pass judgement if Scarlett Johansson fits in the role. A screenshot doesn't really mean much. The acting she provides is much for important for making the character believeable to me.
I'm cautiously optimistic for this movie since I really enjoyed Rupert Sanders first movie Snow White and the Huntsman.
Anime is normally not my thing, but I enjoyed the original Ghost in the Shell. Really hope they don't mess this one up.
I'm cautiously optimistic for this movie since I really enjoyed Rupert Sanders first movie Snow White and the Huntsman.
Anime is normally not my thing, but I enjoyed the original Ghost in the Shell. Really hope they don't mess this one up.
Discotheque
Banned
I don't really care that much about the race swap. The name has to change though too or else it gets absurd
It's the bland ass director that has me disappointed. This could have been a cool movie but I'm not expecting much out of it now
It's the bland ass director that has me disappointed. This could have been a cool movie but I'm not expecting much out of it now
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