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Netflix's 'The Witcher' Finds Its Female Leads

Lightsbane

Member
Also, a question: I don't follow GoT, did they go and made diversity for the sake of diversity with its characters?

Well, no. But pretty much every single character in the GoT show looks different than the ones in the books.

Tyrion being the worst offender. Having a good (ok, great) looking Tyrion Lannister makes me cry.
 

nowhat

Member
Tyrion being the worst offender. Having a good (ok, great) looking Tyrion Lannister makes me cry.
Well, that's just American television for you. Not to berate it as such - there are some great series - but you won't find non-photogenic people in any major roles, that's just how it goes.

If you have Netflix (and if it's available in your region) check out "Happy Valley". The name is decidedly ironic, there's very little happiness in the series. But partially what makes it so great is the actress in the lead role - she's middle-aged and not attractive by any means. And I think this makes the events (which can be quite brutal - it's basically a cop drama involving a few crimes and a certain set of people) so much more believable. And sure enough, by BBC, the show wouldn't have been made in the US.
 
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Fbh

Member
I dunno, they are not cartoons? So it will be very much an adaptation at any rate. As were the games.

As an analogy, reading "American Gods", I somehow always pictured the lead character, "Shadow Moon", as being white (it really isn't discussed at all in the book). Probably because I'm white too, about as blank as they come. In the TV adaptation he is black. And... it really didn't bother me at all. What is more important that the actors/script work well. But there can never be a 1:1 transformation from one medium to another. It always is an interpretation, one way or another. So apparently now it is now so terrible that one minor character is black in this upcoming series. I honestly don't care - the show will be great or terrible by its own merits. The live action version of Ghost in a Shell wasn't terrible because Scarlett Johansson isn't asian, it was terrible because it was a bad adaptation.

I might be wrong but I remember at some point early on in the book someone asking Shadow if he "is black , Latino or native American" , sort of establishing that he isn't really white but it's hard to tell what his roots are.

I might be remembering wrong though but I always had him pictured as dark skinned. Visually I think the casting really nailed it with him
 
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Fringilla casting has interesting implications - if Nilfgard includes POC then does Netlix realise whole series will be about white northern nations defending against massive invasion from the south ?

That's going to be some epic social media ....storm :)
 

Fuz

Banned
Fringilla casting has interesting implications - if Nilfgard includes POC then does Netlix realise whole series will be about white northern nations defending against massive invasion from the south ?

That's going to be some epic social media ....storm :)
It would be fun, but it's not gonna happen.
 

Hendrick's

If only my penis was as big as my GamerScore!
Let Jamie Foxx play George Washington. Sure, no trouble there.
Because that is comparable. If they made Ciri or Geralt black, then you would probably have a point, but I don't see why everyone has to be white or how some minor characters having a different skin color affects the story at all. If one minor character being black is going to ruin your enjoyment of this show, you may have bigger issues.
 

mckmas8808

Banned
Because that is comparable. If they made Ciri or Geralt black, then you would probably have a point, but I don't see why everyone has to be white or how some minor characters having a different skin color affects the story at all. If one minor character being black is going to ruin your enjoyment of this show, you may have bigger issues.

This is insane. It's not as serious as base base is making it. It's all weird.
 

Dacon

Banned
I totally understand people wanting authenticity to the books, Fringilla's casting doesnt really make sense in regards to other characters, but it's netflix so w/e. The people that I've seen that are the most outraged about it are polish people who absolutely adore these books and wanted them to be properly represented, which I guess means theyre not really familiar with netflix or the writers they employ.

I don't really understand people getting mad about people wanting the things they love to not get warped because of some misguided diversity crusade, but at the same time I realize how pointless it is in this day and age to expect authenticity from hollywood productions.
 

DeepEnigma

Gold Member
I totally understand people wanting authenticity to the books, Fringilla's casting doesnt really make sense in regards to other characters, but it's netflix so w/e. The people that I've seen that are the most outraged about it are polish people who absolutely adore these books and wanted them to be properly represented, which I guess means theyre not really familiar with netflix or the writers they employ.

I don't really understand people getting mad about people wanting the things they love to not get warped because of some misguided diversity crusade, but at the same time I realize how pointless it is in this day and age to expect authenticity from hollywood productions.

What I find fascinating, is that Netflix does not "diversify" any of the Scandinavian/historical shows they do, as well as other projects all over the world. It seems to mostly take place in pop-culture like works (since The Witcher as a game series made it pop culture).
 
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Hendrick's

If only my penis was as big as my GamerScore!
Make up artists will have a lot of work to do with Geralt AND Yennefer.
People who think they are going to have the characters look like they do in the game are going to be disappointed.
 
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Fuz

Banned
People who think they are going to have the characters lool like they do in the game are going to be disappointed.
True.

But let's not forget that most of the fame of the series is because of CDPR. Doesn't matter what Sapkowski thinks.
 

mckmas8808

Banned
What I find fascinating, is that Netflix does not "diversify" any of the Scandinavian/historical shows they do, as well as other projects all over the world. It seems to mostly take place in pop-culture like works (since The Witcher as a game series made it pop culture).

That's because Netflix doesn't actually make filmmakers do anything. They sorta let them do what they want. Netflix is known for standing back and letting the creators do what they wish. It's a HUGE part of their brand for the creator's side.
 

Shmunter

Member
Was it just a rumour to cast a BAME Ciri or did someone switch on the lights and common sense prevailed in the end?

Never did understand the need to force a change and not hook into a built in fan base. It’s just smart business.
 
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DeepEnigma

Gold Member
That's because Netflix doesn't actually make filmmakers do anything. They sorta let them do what they want. Netflix is known for standing back and letting the creators do what they wish. It's a HUGE part of their brand for the creator's side.

So maybe they should have had a Polish group of filmmakers cast and do this like they allow the Norwegian groups, Brazilian, Japanese, etc.?

The cast so far is very... British.
 
I also thought Yen was too young but then I remembered she's basically a Water Hag that uses magic to be attractive. Not that I'm complaining, she's still best girl.
 

KonradLaw

Member
Was it just a rumour to cast a BAME Ciri or did someone switch on the lights and common sense prevailed in the end?

Never did understand the need to force a change and not hook into a built in fan base. It’s just smart business.
It was official casting call, so it wasn;'t just rumor. That said, it was just one of such calls and it's quite possible that they simply meant to look up for slavs, turkish actors etc.
Also, afaik Ciri's casting wasn't decided yet when the shitstorm erupted, so I wouldn't be surprised if it influenced both the showrunner's nad Netflix's itself decisions'
 
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plushyp

Member
I get the /s, but I just have to comment - I have, and thought Zack Snyder was a hack already then, didn't get what all the fuzz was about. But oh boy, he's been even worse since.
MARTHAAAAAA!!!!
Snyder should drop all pretensions of directing any genre other than action. I'd like to see him direct a pure action film in the vein of John Wick and The Raid. I've yet to see a better superhero fight than the Batman Warehouse scene in BvS. That was like the Arkham games in live action.
 

WaterAstro

Member
Snyder should drop all pretensions of directing any genre other than action. I'd like to see him direct a pure action film in the vein of John Wick and The Raid. I've yet to see a better superhero fight than the Batman Warehouse scene in BvS. That was like the Arkham games in live action.
Wtf you thought that scene was good? Winter Soldier shits all over it.
 

base

Banned
Because that is comparable. If they made Ciri or Geralt black, then you would probably have a point, but I don't see why everyone has to be white or how some minor characters having a different skin color affects the story at all. If one minor character being black is going to ruin your enjoyment of this show, you may have bigger issues.
Because it's based on a book written in the Eastern Europe by a Slavic guy. I don't know if you're American but you guys like to put racial stuff everywhere. Let black people make movies with their own characters. The same goes with LGBT stuff. I know Netflix is well known for being liberal but putting that stuff in every movie makes me sick. Not only me I assure you.
 

Neolombax

Member
Not feeling the look for Ciri...but if she nails the performance, looks wont even matter in the long run. Hope to be proven wrong!
 

MadYarpen

Member
As regards Yennefer's age, AFAIR in the books they made themselves look like below 25 years old or someting, I dont remember exactly now. So I don't think she looks too young. In the game Yennefer probably looked to old.
 

mitchman

Gold Member
So maybe they should have had a Polish group of filmmakers cast and do this like they allow the Norwegian groups, Brazilian, Japanese, etc.?

The cast so far is very... British.

As least for the Norwegian stuff, it's mostly locally financed and produced and Netflix just buys international rights for it.
 
As regards Yennefer's age, AFAIR in the books they made themselves look like below 25 years old or someting, I dont remember exactly now. So I don't think she looks too young. In the game Yennefer probably looked to old.

Yeah that's correct - all wizards and sorceresses manipulate their visible age but wizards go for a bit more mature 30-40 look and sorceresses go for sub 30.

Also I've noticed it in a ton of places online - Ciri in game is Ciri after book saga - several years later - her age is correct for books.

I just want a Unicorn scene :((
Well it's not HBO series :) but since they casted Renfri I feel like they might start series with Butcher of Biaviken story.
 
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Hendrick's

If only my penis was as big as my GamerScore!
Because it's based on a book written in the Eastern Europe by a Slavic guy. I don't know if you're American but you guys like to put racial stuff everywhere. Let black people make movies with their own characters. The same goes with LGBT stuff. I know Netflix is well known for being liberal but putting that stuff in every movie makes me sick. Not only me I assure you.
If black people in Netflix shows make you sick, you have some fucked up priorities in life.
 

Lunk

Member
Awesome picks although now that there was that controversy I kinda wanna know who the POC actress they had picked for Ciri was.
 

base

Banned
If black people in Netflix shows make you sick, you have some fucked up priorities in life.
Pure manipulation from your side. Have you read the books? There were no black people in the books. It's based on the books so they should stick with it. Now I even expect Geralt to be gay in the series because they have to make it "modern".
 

nowhat

Member
It's based on the books so they should stick with it.
So, how do you feel about the "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" vs. "Blade Runner" analogy I posted earlier? Because if the movie hadn't diverged a lot from the writing, we wouldn't have Blade Runner.
 
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Hendrick's

If only my penis was as big as my GamerScore!
Pure manipulation from your side. Have you read the books? There were no black people in the books. It's based on the books so they should stick with it. Now I even expect Geralt to be gay in the series because they have to make it "modern".
Not sure what "side" you think I'm on, but while I don't love representation for representations sake, I don't see any evidence of this here. I would argue that the majority of the really good book to film adaptations, have been good because it's creators knew how to make the right artistic changes needed to go from one medium to another that is drastically different. A good adaptation does not need to be a 1:1 retelling of it's source material, and typically when that is attempted, it turns out poorly.
 

Fuz

Banned
while I don't love representation for representations sake, I don't see any evidence of this here
So, Fringilla being black is not for representation reasons. Ok.

A good adaptation does not need to be a 1:1 retelling of it's source material, and typically when that is attempted, it turns out poorly.
Wrong.
Take the LotR/Hobbit movies. Every time they diverged from Tolkien's vision the result was subpar. Every time they followed the book to the letter the result was fantastic. One of the producers, in the extras of the CE, actually said something along the lines of "We tried to change things here and there, just to realize that Tolkien knew better".
 

nowhat

Member
I feel like I end up repeating myself, but once again: there cannot be a 1:1 transformation from one medium to another. The games - they are not canon. They are what CDPR made of the characters. Even if the books described $PERSON as looking like something, the image you have of him/her is just what is your interpretation of him/her is. "Sin City" is the only example I can think of where there has been a successful transformation from one media to another; and yet, there are differences (and the source material was a visual novel).

So, let's wait for the end result, before we get too worked up. Who knows, the character who plays Fringilla may end up being terrible, in which case I'll rightfully deride her. Or, she may up being a great actor and have some awesome scenes I'll remember years on. As said, who knows. But if you want to experience everything like you did when reading the books... I dunno, read the book? There will be deviations from what you expect, and I doubt skin colour will be the largest among them.
 
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I feel like I end up repeating myself, but once again: there cannot be a 1:1 transformation from one medium to another. The games - they are not canon. They are what CDPR made of the characters. Even if the books described $PERSON as looking like something, the image you have of him/her is just what is your interpretation of him/her is. "Sin City" is the only example I can think of where there has been a successful transformation from one media to another; and yet, there are differences (and the source material was a visual novel).

So, let's wait for the end result, before we get too worked up. Who knows, the character who plays Fringilla may end up being terrible, in which case I'll rightfully deride her. Or, she may up being a great actor and have some awesome scenes I'll remember years on. As said, who knows. But if you want to experience everything like you did when reading the books... I dunno, read the book? There will be deviations from what you expect, and I doubt skin colour will be the largest among them.

There are adaptations and then there's total butchering of source matierial like Netflix did to Altered Carbon - they messed with "diversity" so much that they made book 3 plot impossible.

At least we seem to have avoid worst case scenario with Witcher series so far.
 

Dacon

Banned
I feel like I end up repeating myself, but once again: there cannot be a 1:1 transformation from one medium to another. The games - they are not canon. They are what CDPR made of the characters. Even if the books described $PERSON as looking like something, the image you have of him/her is just what is your interpretation of him/her is. "Sin City" is the only example I can think of where there has been a successful transformation from one media to another; and yet, there are differences (and the source material was a visual novel).

No. You cannot compare images given to you by the descriptions the books give you to tell you who a character is, to completely off model casting. What the hell. Oh and anime has several different 1:1 adaptations of manga, and light novels. They might cut out a few things here and there bc of budgets, but there general story and characters are preserved. A few games have managed to do so as well.
 

Kreydo

Member
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Jon Neu

Banned
All I care about is if the show is good or not. The skin color of a side character in no way will affect that outcome.

When you want to bastardize some art just to force your own political ideas in it, you are just showing that you don't have respect at all about that art in the first place.

If you want to insert your silly diversity quotas, go and make your own franchise.
 

Jon Neu

Banned
Not sure what "side" you think I'm on, but while I don't love representation for representations sake, I don't see any evidence of this here. I would argue that the majority of the really good book to film adaptations, have been good because it's creators knew how to make the right artistic changes needed to go from one medium to another that is drastically different. A good adaptation does not need to be a 1:1 retelling of it's source material, and typically when that is attempted, it turns out poorly.

There isn't anything artistic at all about introducing forced diversity quotas and SJW propaganda. That's not doing the right artistic changes, because those aren't artistic changes, that's you just don't giving a fuck about the source material and just trying to milk it's success to force a political message on the viewers.
 
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