Avatar :: The Last Airbender Movie Controversy “Racism Still Present in the US?”
Update: Proof from Avatar :: the Last Airbender show bible.
Wow. Avator::The Last Airbender, a Nickelodeon animated series, is garnishing some controversy over its upcoming movie release. How? For totally bypassing ANY Asians being cast in the film! To bring you up to speed.
Avatar::The Last Airbender is a very popular animated series on Nickelodeon with a story centralized around mythical Asia. Asian theme, clearly an Asian character set. So naturally, if you are going to make a film franchise based on the series, you’d want an Asian Actor somewhere in the main cast, right? Nope. Not a trace! Is there a shortage of Asian Actors that we weren’t aware of? Or, are people still targets of racism???
But what really blows me away is how this whole controversy is being treated by the films’ own DIRECTOR – M. Night Shyamalan. Come on, guy! Throw your fellow Asian a bone and do something! When asked why there weren’t any Asian Actors as leads ,his response (or rather non-response) was… “he couldn’t be reached for comment.” To add insult to injury Twilight Star, Jackson Rathbone chimes in on his new leading role in Avatar. A snippet:
Due in theaters in summer 2010, “Airbender” has already begun to face a bit of controversy over the casting of white actors like Rathbone, Ringer and McCartney to play Asian characters —a concern the actor was quick to dismiss. “I think it’s one of those things where I pull my hair up, shave the sides, and I definitely need a tan,” he said of the transformation he’ll go through to look more like Sokka. “It’s one of those things where, hopefully, the audience will suspend disbelief a little bit.
Really? Is that all you need, buddy? A tan? Pshh! This is going to go well. Just like DragonBall: Evolution. Oh, boy…
One Derek Kirk Kim chimes in on the “Airbender controversy” citing what we knew all along – that Hollywood isn’t very kind to Asian Americans. Check it out here. Highly relevant, poignant read that really makes you go “Hmmm.” So, is there still racism in America? Sadly, for Asian American actors/entertainers…I’d say there is. What do YOU think? Are people just too hyper-sensitive and should get over themselves? Or, is there racism? Love to hear your thoughts…
You should also read:
>> Racebending.com
>> AngryAsianman.com
Update: And now, for your viewing (dis)pleasure, the *sigh movie trailer:
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60 Comments
Jun 27, 20098:21 pm
Hey my old message was deleted! Oh well….im just going to make this clear! Everyone is going to hate Shyamalan! You think differently but everyone is going to hate him because he fucked up a good show! Someone needs to fire his DUMBASS from making movies! All his shit never made money….so why hire a DUMBASS director to make a movie based on a GREAT SHOW!
I guess and hop that if there is a director in the making or somthing please remake this movie!
Haute or Not: 
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Jun 28, 20099:15 am
Sorry about the deleted comment, I have updated servers and am starting to re-update the content on the site. As always, thanks for coming by everyone!
And as far as this M. Night deal, *shakes head…
Haute or Not: 0 1
Jun 30, 20099:43 am
Don’t worry Kellen, the show isn’t F up, because it’s just another crappy street fighter movie. Just as long as it doesn’t follow the cartoon story, it’s fine. The movie = fail
Show = still win! If they combine the story with the movie then it’s F up!
Haute or Not: 0 2
Jun 30, 20099:21 pm
if there really is a discrimination against asians in this movie just like the lame Db movie where everything that makes up the story just was cut out like the fact that Goku was human and not a Saiyan sigh then thats sad sigh but still this movie ould look 10000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 times better with asians because there are light colored asians thus why in anime’s you see so called “white” characters and there are even black asians/dark asians thus you see the “african” characters but everyone is still asian or indian atleast use the actual martial artist stunt doubles…. asian’s Indian’s and pacific islanders would be so much better then white people no offense but this show was made with asians not americans this movie isnt the wild wild west this is myth East sure the whites can play the role but looks is more harder to do considering when your white and you part is a black man @.@ also if this man does have a racial discrimination against asians and pacific islanders then he should be fired and be hit with a lawsuit
Haute or Not: 2 1
Jul 1, 20096:36 am
All im saying is that this is just another movie that’s going to have to be remade! But what bothers me is that no one took control over the situation. The creators of Avatar, Nickelodeon, or even some of the fans. Why would you hire a dumb director to make a movie based on a show that has affected tons of people all over?
i hope they have screening for this movie because i would be the first person to go and see so i can just yell at all the producers and more!
Haute or Not: 1 1
Jul 1, 200911:59 pm
its alright
just some of the white people in hollywood look at asian people and culture – jackie chan, jet li, and they’re like, wow, im jealous
so guess what?
they gotta be asian too. haha.
Haute or Not: 0 2
Jul 5, 20096:06 pm
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Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike: 3 14
Jul 6, 20099:23 am
Plz the casting was totally racial! Many people dont know this but discrimination is still alive but its invisible. Its called Invisible Discrimination! Many people can see it in the media especially in T.V shows, news, and etc. This movie should have Asian, Mongolian, or Pacific Islander actors. I mean having a white person play Katara i means its either really racial or REEEEAAAAALLLLYYYY CHEAP!!!
DOWN WITH SHYAMALAN!!!!
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Jul 12, 20093:04 pm
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Jul 14, 200911:42 am
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Jul 15, 20098:53 pm
Becky, what are you talking about? M. Night Shyamalan is a great director! If you think people are pessimistic, you should take a look at yourself.
I personally think the filmmakers or the studio execs or actors/actresses for this movie did not really take in consideration for the sensitivity of race especially when the characters and the setting for the film is clearly Asian. I don’t know what America they (meaning Hollywood) think they’re living in, but do they really think the American audience is living in LA LA LAND and are too ignorant to figure out that Avatar The Last Airbender Movie has Asian influence? The United States is supposed to be a melting pot. Hollywood is supposed to deliver what the fans of Avatar movie want not what they (meaning Hollywood) want – this is exactly the reason Dragonball Evolution has not done very well here in the States.
Haute or Not: 3 3
Jul 15, 200910:16 pm
I just want to add, if anyone is thinking about going to see this movie, ask yourself this question, “Picture a world filled with people who are just like you and yet there is no one other than your own kind exist because they are not like you…will your life be fulfilling?”
I’m not suggesting people shouldn’t see this movie, nor am I suggesting Hollywood is racist, or that the film would be better or worse with an Asian cast. I just feel Hollywood should move forward and not backwards like in the days of John Wayne as Ghengis Khan lol.
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Jul 16, 20099:33 am
If Hollywood doesn’t change, the Asian community may have to form their own studio which will segregate this country even more, there’s alreay black and hispanic tv channels, radio shows. Long ago, Jewish immigrants practically formed Hollywood because they couldn’t find jobs, and this is why there are a lot of Jewish entertainers (the entertainment industry wasn’t considered a threat for them).
Haute or Not: 1 0
Jul 16, 20096:13 pm
So if Don Cheadle wanted to play a George W. Bush in a biography and gave an outstanding performance during tryouts you think he would have been given the part?
Haute or Not: 3 1
Jul 16, 20099:17 pm
Kim and Yang, I applaud you. Is there any other director out there that can PLEASE pull off another Avatar: The Last Airbender movie? There is so much outrage from the fans about the casting. You just don’t get the full effect. The character’s names, fighting styles, culture, etc. are all based on Asian culture! No offense to the actors already cast, but I would like to see more diversity in this film! Something like Mongol/Tibet for Aang Air Nomad, Filipino/Vietnamese/Indonesian for Katara, Sokka & Water Tribes, Thai/Chinese/Indian for Toph Earth Kingdom, Japanese/Korean for Zuko, Azula & Fire Nation. If they did so many open castings, SURELY THERE WOULD’VE BEEN SOME OF THESE! Bah, I will still see the movie to see if they pulled it off, I’m not counting on it. However, I encourage other directors to make something BETTER! I was expecting more from M. Night Shyamalan.. NOT.
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Jul 16, 20099:18 pm
wait, maybe i won’t see it.
maybe i’ll wait for a psycho friend to buy the dvd…
yeah that’s what i’ll do.
so that it doesn’t make any money!!
who’s in?
protest against the movie!!!!!
Hot debate. What do you think? 5 3
Jul 16, 200911:58 pm
I think they should of tried harder on finding a better cast.
I don’t mind white people playing in the cast, but I would like to see more Asians playing since it was based off of Asian culture. However, I think its just as unfair to make the whole cast Asian. (even if I am half Asian) I think they need a lot more diversity.
Anyways. They could of done a WAAAY better job at finding a better cast. I’m pretty sure they didn’t really think about how much the show was based off of Asian culture. So, they just threw in anyone who they thought could do a good job at playing whatever part they give them, not because of their race but for their acting.
Its not like they didn’t want Asians to play. I’m sure if they found an Asian who could act well as one of the parts, then they would give them the role. Again, not for their race but for their acting; they’ll just throw in anyone who they think would do a good job at acting as one of the characters. Therefore, they didn’t do a good job at choosing the cast because they didn’t think things through.
I think they just didn’t try hard enough and didn’t really think things through. But this is my opinion. So, whatever.
If I ever become a director one day, I’d totally do a revision of this movie.
I would work so hard to find an awesome cast, and to make sure people see what they want to see. This has been my favorite show since I was nine and being a huge fan, I would love to revise the trilogy some day. I’d also try really hard to
not leave out any of the parts.
Thats only if I become a director…so, you know. Just a dream. :\
Haute or Not: 2 3
Jul 17, 200910:23 am
Great Post Erika! Just to let you know, filmmakers aren’t the ones investing their money (unless if you did entirely everything yourself), it’s the executive producers or whoever is financing the budget for the film are the ones to decide. Obviously, the investors of the film for Avatar are white and M. Night Shyamalan probably didn’t have much decision making on who to cast (he only seems to care about money).
Haute or Not: 1 1
Jul 17, 200911:28 am
Ok so this is what they should do since they are already making the movie and there’s nothing we can really do but once its over or the movie is sooooooo bad that is doesn’t make enough money…..they should remake it! This time they should hire directors that have great movie history such as
Chris Columbus( Home Alone, Harry Potter 1&2)
Gore Verbinski (Pirates of the Caribbean 1,2,&3)
Ang Lee( Crouching tiger Hidden Dragon)
Robert Shaye( The Last Mimzy)
Well those are just a few! But anyways but i do agree with Emica and that the casting should consist of something like Mongol/Tibet for Aang Air Nomad, Filipino/Vietnamese/Indonesian for Katara, Sokka & Water Tribe,(well not Vietnamese since they r hella mad at us Thai/Chinese/Indian for Toph Earth Kingdom, Japanese/Korean for Zuko, Azula & Fire Nation
I mean its not entirely hard to cast “Asians” i mean China has more people in their country than any other country in the world and your telling me Shyamalan couldn’t find any people to play Zuko or Azula!
And for those who think the casting was not racist! You have another thing coming! I mean if you have seen the show the ENTIRE series is based on Asian culture from the houses, writing, fighting, beliefs, and more. It would not be realistic to see a “White” person play Asian influenced characters. And you may disagree and blame the cartoonist for making the characters look white or black or whatever.
The bottom line is that this movie was designed to be a money maker instead of an epic classic! They should just remake the movie…..
Haute or Not: 4 1
Jul 22, 20093:22 pm
Just a lil sad and disappointed that they did not cast Katara and Sokka as Alaskan or Islander looking kids or Aang or Zuko with Asian actors (there must be none)….Its like a person of color is making this film and he couldn’t find Asian or people of color actors to play these parts! Grrrrrr I am sure the film will be good just had to throw in my two cents…
Also, for people who just think “they went with the best actor”…1 you must be white yourself lol….and two. REALL???? That means that we have no strong Asian actors??? Well the reason could be is Hollywood never gives them the opportunity to work so how would be know if there are any strong Asian actors….Here is my partial cast list of Avatar
Aang – I actually like the lil boy who is playing him. I think he looks like him and to me, looks like he could be mixed Asian.
Katara – Keisha Castle-Hughes (Whale Rider), she is a strong actor and has a very similar look to Katara.
Sokka – I would have switch. Dev Patel would have made a better Sokka. He has got a similar look and also has a goofiness to him.
Zuko – Either Ken Leung (Lost) would be my choice or for a younger actor Ken Leung (Disturbia) I have only seen him do goofy comedy but like they always say comedy is harder then drama…
Anyway this is just my partial list….I wish I could have casted the film lol
Haute or Not: 3 1
Jul 23, 20098:10 pm
There are 3 facts I’d like to point out.
1) Dragonball movie was just out which had a a similar style of casting like Avatar.
2) Chronicles of Narnia has a European medieval theme and Avatar has Asian medieval theme. Both movies are based on series of family themed stories and I’ve heard Avatar will have sequels like Narnia.
3) In transformers 2 movie, there was a controversy with the twins and Michael Bay was nice enough to talk about the controversy, but in Avatar, M. Night won’t even respond back.
Haute or Not: 3 1
Jul 25, 20091:04 pm
This is ridiculous!!! I truly empathize with many Asians with this whole bull shit of a crew. But one thing that bothers me is people who think that racism is over. It will never be over. Just because a black man and his family is in the white house doesn’t mean that racism is over. It just means that people are hopeful now but it is only the lives of him and his family that have changed. Now regarding this whole controversy I am honestly disappointed because this is not fair. They can do better. And I truly believe that the cast HAD to be a majority white because if otherwise then many people wouldn’t see the film. They do this to appeal to the white pop. or else they wouldn’t even give the movie the time of day.
Haute or Not: 3 0
Jul 25, 20094:35 pm
Dave that just shows how M. Night doesnt really care about this movie!
Haute or Not: 0 0
Jul 27, 20097:58 pm
Fank Marshall the exec producer of Avatar, directed the movie alive, which also had a casting controversy.
Haute or Not: 0 0
Jul 30, 20092:01 pm
It is rather disapointing that our society is reverting back to 1972 where David Carradine was cast over Bruce Lee to play an Asian Shaolin monk in the series Kung Fu. Maybe next year we will see Hollywood revert further back to their early day where white actor paint their face with burnt cork to play an African American role.
Haute or Not: 3 0
Aug 1, 20094:08 pm
I believe that their are plenty of Asian-American talents out there, just that they’re not discover yet. It’s nothing for the producers to find Asian actors of any age.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike: 4 0
Aug 8, 200910:32 am
What really annoys me is those people who defend the casting of the film. They lack this very human trait called “empathy”.
I hear things like, “Who cares. I don’t understand why you Asians make such a big deal out of it. Stop complaining.”
They can’t see it through my eyes.
Everyone uses this analogy, but it’s a perfect example of faulty casting.
What if there was film called, “The Founding Fathers of America” starring Jet Li and Jackie Chan? That doesn’t sound right.
It’s the exact same thing.
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Aug 10, 20092:26 pm
I totally agree with gman, i may not be asian but i understnad where you are coming from. Im black mix and i understand your guy’s pain and thats why i totally disagree and hate what they are doin to this movie!
Haute or Not: 2 0
Sep 20, 20094:52 pm
Jesus is Asian.
Jesus’ origins trace back to the West Asia, where Jerusalem is, mind you.
Jerusalem, as of the moment, is occupied by three main religions, namely Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.
People just think Jesus is European because of the way he is portrayed. Society today use the artistic representations of Jesus Christ from the Middle Ages/Renaissance period, wherein they would NOT be painting a person that came from Asia.
It’s a sad fact, really. Jesus is not white, so I’ve heard, he did not have an aquiline nose like most westerners, but he is tanned and shorter than he is depicted. At least that’s what I’ve heard. He’s just depicted to reflect what is “most beautiful and most accepted”
So there.
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Oct 28, 20098:54 am
let me tell you this is a absulote digrace to have a asian themed anime which was great turned into a movie with guess what no asian, my god it like there are no asian actor around, this is so like in the old days using white actor to play indian , and asian. I for one will not spend my money on this crap and someone should tell the director to wake up and relize that we won’t put up with this crap any more. enough already what a disgrace pure and simple
Haute or Not: 1 0
Nov 8, 200912:40 pm
Screw this movie!! Hollywood only cares about money! There’s an inner circle with Hollywood and the producers and execs picked these actors because they know them and not necessarily because of talent or the quality of the show. Doesn’t this sound like DB movie to you guys???
Haute or Not: 2 0
Nov 10, 200911:29 am
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Nov 11, 20097:16 pm
@ #1 Is Jesus Asian? :
It’s not just the fact that white people are playing heroes either, it’s also makes me question that since M. Night is of Indian descent, that he also picked Indian actors to be the Fire Nation. C’mon, I can stand if white people were portrayed in the film as the supposed asian characters but there’s a clear skin difference between characters when you make someone like Iroh or Zuko having a different skin color ALONG with not being of the same ethnicity. It’s like if they replaced Bob Saget to be Denzel Washington in Full House, it makes no sense whatsoever. Thank you M. Night for fucking up Avatar casting (let’s hope he doesn’t mess up the movie too).
Haute or Not: 3 0
Nov 25, 20097:17 pm
i know its probably too late but they should def do some recasting if they want the movie to be hit. Its an ASIAN based show but no asians what kind of garbage is that. Im not even asian and i find it racist and offensive.
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Dec 7, 20091:26 am
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Dec 9, 20092:43 am
Hey Jeff, so what if airbender movie was an all asian cast, did anyone say anything when Lord of the Rings was an all white cast?
People aren’t saying this movie should be an all asian cast, they are just angry with Hollywood’s blatant disregard to the ethnic race that the characters are in the animated show. The animated show was marketed for being diverse with different ethnic races and cultures, and yet, the live action version seems to be doing the complete opposite.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike: 4 0
Dec 10, 200910:24 am
Please take 10 minutes of your time to read this through and pass the message along if you agree with me:
Casting primarily Caucasian actors for ALL the main roles of a movie based on a show with OBVIOUS and PREDOMINATE Asian themes while relegating a few minor and marginal roles to actors of color (any color, that is, with even fewer being actual Asian ethnicity) is a shameful farce in poor taste. To be fair, M. Night Shyamalan may have the artistic license to change certain aspects of the original TV show for his live-action movie adaptation and the original TV show itself is entirely fantasy and doesn’t have any canonical rules regarding race. However, given the CLEAR depictions of CHINESE and other EASTERN ASIAN style writing, clothing, food, architecture, rites, etc. in the show, the effort of using almost all Caucasian cast, or rather, the lack of effort in seeking out Asian actors, is ridiculous in a racial, social, and artistic sense. Without going in-depth into the various arguments and counter-arguments regarding this stance, just imagine if the Lord of the Rings or Star Wars or Narnia films had all Asian, or African, or Hispanic actors. Sure the names of places and people of Middle Earth are Caucasian, but they COULD be Asian, right?
However, given that it is already this far into the production of the film and that it is going to be released this summer, it is too late to change the cast short of Viacom or Paramount picture scuttling the entire project to considerable loss to themselves, their investors, and the people working on the film – that that is NOT going to happen. What is left is simply to boycott The Last Airbender in protest. Although the cause is ideologically significant, its repercussions are not. A couple thousands or even a couple tens of thousands of people is a drop of water in an ocean when compared to the overall movie-going masses of the United States and the rest of the world. The damage of M. Night SHAMalan’s and/or Paramount’s decision will only impact the Asian-American community, the fans of The Avatar series, and a small number of other people who care about the subject. At the end of the day, it’ll be business as usual, and the millions of movie-goers who have never heard of The Avatar or are ignorant to such racial / social issues will still chip in their $7 – $11 at the theaters.
In order to amplify the voice of the protest against STRUCTURAL RACISM of the entertainment industry and AVERSIVE RACISM of the American society at large, the message must not only be written in words, but also in an more universal language – money. I propose that as many people as those who care about and support this cause contribute to the distribution of FREE versions of The Last Airbender movie upon its release. Find a link to some website that offers good quality of the movie for streaming or for download, and give that link to all of your friends and associates, and have them tell their friends and associates. Invite your friends to come over to have your own private screening of the movie together at your house for that movie theater experience if you want to. If you have the know-how, upload your own versions of the movies, provide subtitles in other languages for the other countries that this film will be released in (you can check the film’s website for the release dates and countries).
If everyone can see or have seen the movie for free (and I doubt it’ll be a great enough film for someone to actually go see it again at the theater), there’s no incentive for them to shell out money for it, and so Viacom and/or Paramont won’t get paid. If this is carried out on a large enough scale and results in a noticeable financial loss to Viacom and/or Paramount (as long as the difference is statistically significantly greater than the average range of financial loss due to piracy), then an otherwise marginal yet fundamentally important issue would be given the proper weight. Piracy is a severe problem in the entertainment industry and something that I do not endorse. However, given the situation, I feel that it would be a potentially effective and poetically just (China is known for the piracy of films, so why not bring some additional “Asian themes” to the movie?) way of addressing the issue of structural and aversive racism exacerbated by the farcical casting decisions made for The Last Airbender. Mainstream society and the industries that cater to it need to stop externalizing the cost of aversive racism – pass along this message to help.
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Dec 11, 200911:31 pm
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Dec 21, 20092:05 pm
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Dec 22, 20091:08 pm
Well, I agree with Tyler. some what. Racism issues aside. If this movie isnt good, M Night Im sure will be done. He has had some stinker recently. He’ll be directing movie ON television, instead of from Television. And the Casting, Im sure had nothing to do with him. He probably isnt in a position to choose who he wants. Im sure the people funding this thought it was good idea.
Haute or Not: 0 0
Dec 23, 20091:24 pm
This is what you expect from Movies coming out in the west.
to totally bypass Asian actors and actresses and show mostly whites
is just what i would call a tradition of racism in the west.
its a throw back to the old days like the racial stereotypes of African Americans,Asians,Latinos and the Native People of the USA.
It doesn’t amaze me that much anymore it just shows that the west will always be ass backwards when it comes to doing anything. And it shows very well how people think in thier movies when it comes to culture.
Haute or Not: 3 0
Dec 27, 20096:23 pm
Oh god the irony….. Avatar (the one with the aliens) is a movie that passionatly expresses tolerance and logic, while Avatar (air bender) is the exact opposite….
Haute or Not: 4 1
Dec 28, 200910:48 pm
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Jan 1, 20105:52 am
the cartoon series is the best of all cartoon history cartoons…
i think the movie will be a huge disappointment,
i’m talking about clearly POOR casting,,,
worst casting ever,
especially Zuko’s part…
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Jan 12, 201011:23 pm
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Jan 15, 20106:23 am
@ Ferret: it’s not racism if the director purposely cast caucasian actors in the roles for which the characters were drawn asian-esque.
first and foremost – there isn’t much diversity in the cast.
Maybe the goal was to get more people interested in Avatar by casting Caucasian actors everyone in the West knows about; there are definitely people who will watch a movie just to catch a glimpse of their favourite start.
Second and biggest problem is that Zuko is BROWN while the fire nation blatantly expresses ancient Han Chinese themes in their culture – fortifications, costuming, customs, etc. You can’t pretend that the fire nation doesn’t look asian, especially when the depiction of Uncle is pretty much the same as that of almost all elderly asian males in past cartoon productions… and that’s just one example.
I think they totally missed the boat on this one – I’m willing to bet that most original Avatar fans like myself won’t go see (it in theatres, at the very least).
Haute or Not: 3 0
Jan 16, 201011:37 pm
Surprise surprise (sarcasm) that Hollywood yet again casts white actors as clearly Asian characters. Dragonball, and 21 weren’t enough eh? People who are fans of the show know that the characters are Asian, and yet the show is very successful and highly regarded. So what is the problem with casting an Asian cast? NOTHING! The film would do well, it would also remain true to its source material, AND WOULDN’T OFFEND ANYONE. I am not Asian (Hispanic) but I still think the casting of Caucasians as the leading heroic roles is absolutely racist , and no, throwing in some random East Indians isn’t good enough since they play the villains and the heroes are WHITE. Which is sending the message that White people are the greatest people on Earth and will save the world. Sounds like a whole lot of white supremacy to me. How would you feel if Hollywood put a white actor as Martin Luther King in a movie because they couldn’t find any “bankable” African-American actors? Yeah I thought so. Just because you put your actors in yellow face makeup does NOT make them Asian.
AANG CAN STAY ASIAN AND STILL SAVE THE WORLD
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Jan 24, 20107:50 pm
“The story of Aang, a young boy with the power to bend the elements who is called upon to bring order to his war-torn world, Avatar is the brainchild of seasoned animators Mike DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko. When asked how he would describe the show to someone who’s never seen it before, Konietzko called it ‘an epic, Asian, martial-arts fantasy/action/adventure/comedy/drama series about the four elements. It isn’t easy to fit it all into one sentence!’”
Clark, Christian. “It’s Elementary — Avatar: The Last Airbender.” Animation World Network. 17 Oct. 2007. Web.
Haute or Not: 1 0
Jan 27, 20102:07 am
I disagree with Ferret. Just because it’s an American cartoon doesn’t mean that the characters have to be white. If you look at Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli films, many of their stories takes place in a European setting, and some of them have a European fantasy theme even though they’re drawn by Japanese animators. I also don’t agree with Ferret saying it’s racist to bring it up about the ethnicities of the actors. If you look at the cast most of the heroes are caucasians and most of the villains are people of color, how is this not some sort of favoritism when there is a definite asian and native american theme? Why are Paramount and Nickelodeon causing themselves so much trouble when there are successful asian actors and actresses (if not here in the states, there are plenty overseas and some are bilingual) in Hollywood?
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Jan 27, 201012:50 pm
@The Truth
What are you talking about? Why did Slumdog and Crouching Tiger received numerous Oscars? They both had an all asian cast and were low budget films (about $15 million) and yet they made over $100 million just in the United States alone. If you go back in the 80’s The Last Emperor received Best Picture and with the exception of Peter O’ Toole, it also had an all asian cast. Harold and Kumar films made more than the budget.
Haute or Not: 1 0
Feb 6, 20104:43 pm
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=293202205783
White, Black, or Asian it is clear that inuit/asian culture is very essential to the cartoon. With the release of the cast list i have to say I feel disapointed
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Feb 8, 20103:19 pm
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Feb 20, 20108:25 pm
As a Young Japanese women i have seen so many bad representations of the Women of my culture in American Cinema. This current problem of white washing an entire cast is just what i expect from American Cinema. For years especially in the 1930s and 40s Asian were always played by white actors just like Native American portrays by Italians.
Its 2010 and i’m still seeing this crap.
WHY???
Is this just a standard attempt to show Whites as the master race?
I guess This is why White America will always be seen as racist and as ignorant
as they have been through out the years.
I’m not surprised and yet again i will have to explain to my daughter why in this day and age we don’t exist in America.
that there will always be a white face that doesn’t belong in our images.
Haute or Not: 3 0
Feb 25, 20107:17 pm
If I were a big-shot director should cast an Arab guy as Captain America, just to spite these fools. Or how about an Asian guy as Thor? Then when they say, “But Thor has blond hair!” I will say, “But he is a god and gods don’t technically have skin.”
Haute or Not: 1 0
Feb 26, 20107:42 am
4Dolo your exactly right my step-father told me how would white Americans feel if we took one of thier classic movies like “Gone with the wind” and made all the characters Asian,African Arab etc. White American don’t really understand how people of different races feel when they see something that is from thier culture raped and white washed.
Haute or Not: 0 0
Mar 3, 20102:12 am
I disagree with Ferret. Just because it’s an American cartoon doesn’t mean that the characters have to be white. If you look at Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli films,
Haute or Not: 3 0
Mar 10, 20108:36 am
I agree so much with Mayumi i hate it.
I hate the way everyone thinks that this is the way its suppose to be.
I’m Young but i just feel so angered that this happens in cinema.
My favorite Manga is Dragon Ball Z
and when i saw that film on my visit to the states i felt so angered.
Why? Why do they think the world especailly people of different cultures want to see this.
I felt like this when that horrible movie Fast and furious tokyo drift came out.
the same stupid racist storylines.
My fiancee is African/Asian and we always talk about this.
His gripe is just like mine but its an open view he saws on how African men
are portrayed in American Cinema.
His anger was always about how america shows African men to be Loud,acting dumb,Abusive,confrontational and blaming everyone else.
This is off subject so please forgive me.
Last Airbender shows alot about Asian and other native cultures.
and i think the way they are doing it is just plain wrong.
When will people figure out that doing films like this only bring out the hate that has been in america since its begining.
Haute or Not: 1 0
Mar 10, 20104:19 pm
I have never actually seen racism against Asian until today. *sighs*. That is what I get for living in an Asian Ghetto in California. but hey, when obama got elected, i forgot all about this bs.
Haute or Not: 1 0
Mar 13, 20108:37 am
This will show the world that this country has no imagination or education when it comes to film making. We get films over and over again about white teens trying to get laided and other stupid plot lines. We should just come to the terms that Hollywood is racist and will always be racist when it comes to making anything.
Look at the 3rd mummy movie we can see the suttle racism in this film towards China.
or for that matter look at ALL the films made in the 20th century that depicts Asians,Africans,Latinos,Native Americans in a light as marrauders or killers or rapists.
This is what America loves to see.
every few years i see what i call TARZAN films.
White Americans in other countries acting like they are GOOD and the locals are out of the jungle doing what America has been doing socially and physically to the world.
Running around terrorizing everyone.
What am i getting at?
well what i’m saying here is we always had these films here making anyone of color look like they are evil or out to do things agains innocent white people in areas.
Just turn on the tv
look at how many shows pop up where Blacks or Latinos are gangbangers.
NOW! this is about Last Airbender being white washed even though ALL the characters should be Asian.
What i have been typing just brings to mind what has been happening in Popular American Media.
That the good guys always seem to wear white or are white and anything of color seems to be bad in American films.
America may be a melting pot.
But in its media?
well that another question.
we seem to have alot of D. W. Griffith style movies out there.
Portraying anyone of color as the bad guys.
And whites always looking good.
It will never change unless we all stand up and start writing and speaking up!
Haute or Not: 0 0
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3:20 pm
Hey what most people fail to see is pure logic…They are either being fooled or want to believe on ideals that doesn’t add up.
An Asian world…..with characters with Asian names…where everyone dress in Asian atire….Writing in Asian language…Practice Asian marital arts…Believe in Asian gods and monsters Philosophy….Buildings and houses are all Asian…. Food they eat are asian styled….Asian features such as black hair balck eyes….. All these seems pretty clear. Is characters nationality White or Asian is pretty clear.
Because American entertainment is a Caucasian fantasy world (most heroes are white). If People believe the characters nationality are european or white decent contradicts with the very series and setting of avatar.
I mean what role does a european or white nationality play in this?
Aside from what I said so far what makes this racist is…….
A European or white descent dressing Asian clothing and rating food with chopsticks and refer him or herself as an Asian is mocking the Asian culture! If Hong kong made a film about Jesus can he be Asian? is very similar as see an Asian person as jesus christ.
Can people accept an Asian as Jesus Christ if so I can accept White people acting as Asians.
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