Support NeoGAF

[The Artisan]

Yeah, Ravi Patel.
You might have to turn off any adblock.
http://www.businessinsider.com/actor-almost-turned-down-aziz-ansari-2015-11

thanks. i'm still at work and there's no adblocks on my browsers.

so, how would you make an Ancient One Asian "without slapping a fumanchu on them"?

edit: I read his quote, so essentially at first he didn't want to do it because his real life opinion was the opposite of what his character was willing to do, if i understand correctly

 

[Koppai]

I remember seeing a story of a crew interviewing people in Japan about what they thought of Scarjo playing the Major in the movie and most gave a positive outlook. It's probably only the world outside of Japan that is complaining of white washing. I think she did the character justice but I just laughed during the headstone scene with her name...written in English.

 

[hiredhand]

Power Rangers has better overall reviews than GitS does.

No it doesn't.

Ghost in the Shell is 9 points ahead of Power Rangers on Metacritic (53 vs. 44). Power Rangers does have a slight higher Rotten score (48% vs. 44%) but with a lower average (5.1 vs. 5.6).

 

[SpaceCadetKeon]

I saw this in the theater with friends on Saturday. I should have just stayed home and watched the 1995 movie.

 

[smileyforall220]

I remember seeing a story of a crew interviewing people in Japan about what they thought of Scarjo playing the Major in the movie and most gave a positive outlook. It's probably only the world outside of Japan that is complaining of white washing. I think she did the character justice but I just laughed during the headstone scene with her name...written in English.

The white washing issue is only a U.S. thing specifically with this movie, for Asian American actors.

The movie seems to be doing as well as the original then when it came out. The original had cooler music and more philosophical beats, but in terms of storytelling both are mediocre to bad. The live action has terrible writing and plot, and the animated one breaks the cardinal rule of visual storytelling, show don't tell with its 10 minute long exposition scenes.

 

[SuperStiltzkin]

thanks. i'm still at work and there's no adblocks on my browsers.

so, how would you make an Ancient One Asian "without slapping a fumanchu on them"?

Do what they did with Tilda Swinton, except with an Asian person. Bald, hairless, young, same clothes. Anything that isn't this:

edit: I read his quote, so essentially at first he didn't want to do it because his real life opinion was the opposite of what his character was willing to do, if i understand correctly

Yeah, which is why they included the conversation on why stereotypical roles are oftentimes the only way a minority actor can make a living. Non-stereotypical roles would be nice, but those are four leaf clovers.

Filmmakers and writers need to create and fight for more diverse roles as well. Justin Lin wrote the character of Han when he realized there were no prominent Asian characters in Tokyo Drift. The studios loved it, but wanted Han to be black so they could cast whoever else they had in mind and he had to fight the studios to keep him asian.

 

[The Artisan]

Do what they did with Tilda Swinton, except with an Asian person. Bald, hairless, young, same clothes. Anything that isn't this:

that link isn't working - but I agree making her a woman would've been fine too.

Lewis Tan even touched upon this when they interviewed him about his audition into Iron Fist (and imo the show would've been awesome as him in the lead, even though he single handedly couldn't have saved it)

 

[PatThePassive]

At least the theater should be empty when I go in 40 min.

 

[Can Crusher]

"Whitewashing" had nothing to do with this.

 

[Skittles]

Which Asian actress has same pull as Scarlet for mainstream movie watcher ?

It would be grossing in single digit without her most likely.

Main problem is that they made it unattractive for audience aware of original existence and most other would probably be scared by anime roots.

I should be main target but I only plan to go watch it for lols to check how crappy it turned out.

1. Actors influencing if people watch a movie or not hasn't really been a thing for decades. It all comes down to how good the marketing/how good trailers look.
2. The general populace is not going to know if it was based on an anime or not

 

[davepoobond]

No more anime movies is the lesson learned here for Hollywood. Not "no more whitewashing"

 

[Compsiox]

No more anime movies is the lesson learned here for Hollywood. Not "no more whitewashing"

yep

 

[Doctoglethorpe]

Unfortunate given the movie is actually really good imo.

They could easily fix it with a sequel given the in-film logic of it all, and I hope they do (both make a sequel and fix the race issue). It probably still wouldn't succeed though, and probably won't be made because of that. Then again we're getting another Pasific Rim so I guess anything can happen.

 

[mantidor]

It seems all they wanted to do was steal the influential visuals of the animated film.

They should have pulled out of this project after realizing someone already did that.

The Matrix has a very unique look, the basic ideas were inspired by GiTS but it does its own thing.

Nothing looks like GiTS out there, specially live action, so it's a shame this movie ended up being this bad.

 

[SuperStiltzkin]

"Whitewashing" had nothing to do with this.

Whitewashing isn't THE reason for it. But saying it had NOTHING to do with it isn't totally correct either.

 

[iRAWRasaurus]

Do what they did with Tilda Swinton, except with an Asian person. Bald, hairless, young, same clothes. Anything that isn't this:





Yeah, which is why they included the conversation on why stereotypical roles are oftentimes the only way a minority actor can make a living. Non-stereotypical roles would be nice, but those are four leaf clovers.

Filmmakers and writers need to create and fight for more diverse roles as well. Justin Lin wrote the character of Han when he realized there were no prominent Asian characters in Tokyo Drift. The studios loved it, but wanted Han to be black so they could cast whoever else they had in mind and he had to fight the studios to keep him asian.

Lol that would be strange having no Asian actor in a movie that takes place on Tokyo, but nonetheless tom cruise is the last samurai...

 

[Kthulhu]

Whitewashing isn't THE reason for it. But saying it had NOTHING to do with it isn't totally correct either.

.

 

[Taruranto]

The white washing issue is only a U.S. thing specifically with this movie, for Asian American actors.

Pretty much, and I doubt the average random viewer really cared much in the end. If anything I imagine it would have done worse if it wasn't "that one movie with that Scarlett Johansson".

GitS just isn't really that popular.

 

[norm9]

Lol that would be strange having no Asian actor in a movie that takes place on Tokyo, but nonetheless tom cruise is the last samurai...

Lol. If Han was missing and a black guy was the main guy's drifting teacher, that movie would be a real mess.

 

[TDLink]

Unfortunate given the movie is actually really good imo.

They could easily fix it with a sequel given the in-film logic of it all, and I hope they do (both make a sequel and fix the race issue). It probably still wouldn't succeed though, and probably won't be made because of that. Then again we're getting another Pasific Rim so I guess anything can happen.

We're getting another Pacific Rim because John Boyega loved the first one and after starring in The Force Awakens is a big enough star and has enough money to pay for a lot of it himself.

 

[border]

We're getting another Pacific Rim because John Boyega loved the first one and after starring in The Force Awakens is a big enough star and has enough money to pay for a lot of it himself.

I don't think Boyega could possibly have enough money to finance a CG-heavy blockbuster.

 

[Dynamite Shikoku]

Asian actors couldn't have saved this stinker

 

[neojubei]

What about L being played by Keith Stanfield on the netflix Death Note adaptation?

You should see all the

Spoiler

non-Black

people crying on YouTube about that

 

[roflwaffles]

I'm a fan of the source material, but I won't be paying money to see this mainly because of the offensive twist at the end.

I don't imagine most people are like me though.

 

[bobbychalkers]

Ex Machina is fantastic and the closest thing to a Ghost in the Shell movie and only cost 15 million to make.

With a good writer and some District 9 level good FX I reckon an interesting ghost in the Shell movie could be made for like 30 million.

That's the route that anime adaptations need to go in my eyes. For that to happen, studios need to be smarter about what they choose to adapt. There will never be a good live action Naruto movie but shows like Black Lagoon, or Monster could work

 

[Doctor Decimate]

No more anime movies is the lesson learned here for Hollywood. Not "no more whitewashing"

This is unfortunately going to be the case.

 

[SuperStiltzkin]

Asian actors couldn't have saved this stinker

We'll never really know what Asian actors can and can't do if they're never given the chance.

 

[TDLink]

I don't think Boyega could possibly have enough money to finance a CG-heavy blockbuster.

Not alone but he's a major factor. He's an Executive Producer on the project and playing the lead role. It was completely shelved before he came on board.

 

[Kelsdesu]

Knowing Hollywood; they will get the wrong lesson from this.SMH.

 

[wandering]

That's the route that anime adaptations need to go in my eyes. For that to happen, studios need to be smarter about what they choose to adapt. There will never be a good live action Naruto movie but shows like Black Lagoon, or Monster could work

There's only one choice for Chang

 

[radios shipping overview]

This is unfortunately going to be the case.

Nothing unfortunate about it.

 

[wazoo]

We're getting another Pacific Rim because John Boyega loved the first one and after starring in The Force Awakens is a big enough star and has enough money to pay for a lot of it himself.

heu, no.

Pacific Rim did 440M worldwide, and I bet DVD/BR sales were good.

DVD sales are a non factor for art movies, but for blockbusters, this is big money.

 

[Massive Duck. C.M.]

Asian actors couldn't have saved this stinker

From the reviews I've seen it sounds like the script was the real villain.

 

[Can Crusher]

Whitewashing isn't THE reason for it. But saying it had NOTHING to do with it isn't totally correct either.

Since when are asian lead movies big outside of Asia?

It has nothing to do with this movie bombing. The movie looks neutered, all style no substance. Pg 13??? This shit shoulda been a lock for a R. And they should've set the movie in New York or whatever, instead of half assing it. Adapt the concept, pay homage, and get money.

Movie looks like some bad videogame, thats why it bombed.

 

[Jezan]

Dragonball Evolution
The Last Airbender
Exodus
Stonewall
Gods of Egypt
Ghost in the Shell

When has whitewashing actually benefited a movie?

It didn't benefit it, but didn't affect it: The passion of Christ

I don't think GitS failure had to do with whitewashing, it was translated into a boring movie, anime is hard to do in live action.

Also, Boyega didn't bring Rinko Kikuchi back for PacRim 2 , I'm mad.

 

[SuperStiltzkin]

Since when are asian lead movies big outside of Asia?

It has nothing to do with this movie bombing. The movie looks neutered, all style no substance. Pg 13??? This shit shoulda been a lock for a R. And they should've set the movie in New York or whatever, instead of half assing it. Adapt the concept, pay homage, and get money.

Movie looks like some bad videogame, thats why it bombed.

So you're saying the surrounding controversy around this film that has been dominating the discussion from its announcement up until release had ZERO factor at all? I'm not saying it's the ice berg that sank the Titanic, but it contributed.

Since when are asian lead movies big outside of Asia?

Never, because they don't fucking try. Name 5 Hollywood movies with an Asian leading main character in the past 10 years. I'll make it easier, 3 in the past 20.

 

[Jezan]

So you're saying the surrounding controversy around this film that has been dominating the discussion from its announcement up until release had ZERO factor at all? I'm not saying it's the ice berg that sank the Titanic, but it contributed.



Never, because they don't fucking try. Name 5 Hollywood movies with an Asian leading main character in the past 10 years.

We have to see how it does on China but WW it didn't bring in that much, and Latin America doesn't really care about whitewashing, was a bomba here too.

 

[UnemployedVillain]

Since when are asian lead movies big outside of Asia?

What Asian led movies?

 

[TDLink]

heu, no.

Pacific Rim did 440M worldwide, and I bet DVD/BR sales were good.

DVD sales are a non factor for art movies, but for blockbusters, this is big money.

Pacific Rim made a profit but not a huge one. The studio was very wishy-washy on wanting to do a sequel after it under-performed according to their expectations. Up to the point where GDT moved on to other projects and it was reported that the project was shelved. After that it was delayed indefinitely when the Wanda buyout occured. It was only after Boyega came on board as an EP and star that the movie was officially greenlit. John Boyega is absolutely the reason Pacific Rim 2 is happening.

 

[norm9]

Crouching Tiger started that mini renissance of Asian movies being imported once a year, like Hero and House of Flying Daggers. Then it dropped off the map. That was fun for a bit.

 

[marrec]

anime was a mistake it's nothing but trash

"It's good for a cartoon"

 

[kswiston]

Never, because they don't fucking try. Name 5 Hollywood movies with an Asian leading main character in the past 10 years. I'll make it easier, 3 in the past 20.

Rush Hour 1, Rush Hour 2, and Rush Hour 3

 

[border]

So you're saying the surrounding controversy around this film that has been dominating the discussion from its announcement up until release had ZERO factor at all? I'm not saying it's the ice berg that sank the Titanic, but it contributed.

The fact that there was almost nothing interesting or noteworthy about the film beyond the controversy was what hurt it. There was nothing to be excited about, even for people that might not care about whitewashing.

That and the fact that it's a serious, dour film in an era where audiences have come to prefer stuff that is more fun and light-hearted. Not a joke or a smile to be found. Lead character has no charisma or charm......just an emotionless robot who says things like "Maybe next time you will build me better."

 

[Mikey Jr.]

Mainstream is more interested in Adam Sandler getting hit in the balls for the 50th fucking time.

 

[lightskintwin]

Not alone but he's a major factor. He's an Executive Producer on the project and playing the lead role. It was completely shelved before he came on board.

I think the Pacific Rim sequel does worse than the first.

 

[Ridley327]

Rush Hour 1, Rush Hour 2, and Rush Hour 3

The real challenge would be to name one that doesn't star either Jackie Chan or Jet Li.

 

[Can Crusher]

What Asian led movies?

You gotta be kidding right? There's way more than just hollywood. Not long ago you even started seeing south korean actors make the leap into hollywood. They even made a ninja movie with that Rain dude.

This whole Ghost in the Shell shit is like asking a japanese movie studio to make an unforgiven adaptation, and shoot it with white folks playing cowboys. Which thankfully they didnt, and adapted it to their own sensibilites and culture.

The biggest mistake they did here was to not be an even bigger departure.

 

[kswiston]

The real challenge would be to name one that doesn't star either Jackie Chan or Jet Li.

Harold and Kumar 1 and 2.

If I can cheat with Indian Actors, Life of Pi.

 

[Doctor Decimate]

Nothing unfortunate about it.

While this is perhaps naive considering the way they've gone so far, anime adaptations potentially could've provided the most opportunities for Asian actors in Hollywood so I do find it unfortunate.

 

[Ridley327]

Harold and Kumar 1 and 2.

If I can cheat with Indian Actors, Life of Pi.

See, that's a bit more like it!

And I don't see how using Indian actors is cheating, since they're just as under-represented in Hollywood films as any other Asian country.