Support NeoGAF

[McCheese]

Maybe they instructed them to hire a ginger, but the guy taking notes was dyslexic?

 

[nkarafo]

Yeah you missed the point. The point was that the reasons for keeping the looks of the other characters the same are a lot stronger than Ariel.

Here's what i don't understand. Why not keep the look? Why change? What's the justification? You change something because you want to make it better or because there was something wrong first. They have an established character and they felt they should change her race. I simply don't understand, why change the race? What was wrong with a white Ariel in the first place?

 

[brap]

Yeah you missed the point. The point was that the reasons for keeping the looks of the other characters the same are a lot stronger than Ariel.

So a woman with skin as dark as chocolate would be a good mermaid? Lmao ok dude. Your logic is shit anyway. Are you really saying somebody French or European has to be white? Belle & Cinderella could've been both any skin color and it would've made sense.

Here's what i don't understand. Why not keep the look? Why change? What's the justification? You change something because you want to make it better or because there was something wrong first. They have an established character and they felt they should change her race. I simply don't understand, why change the race? What was wrong with a white Ariel in the first place?

Because hollywood hates redheads. ALL of the Disney Princesses are iconic but of course have to change the one with red hair.

 

[crowbrow]

Resetera freaked out because an artist whitewashed a pokemon character is neogaf now going to freak out because of a blackwashed disney character, come on now lol. Just don't watch this shit, it's probably going to suck anyways.

 

[nkarafo]

Resetera freaked out because an artist whitewashed a pokemon character is neogaf now going to freak out because of a blackwashed disney character, come on now lol. Just don't watch this shit, it's probably going to suck anyways.

Nobody is freaking out really. Just pointing out the double standards and hypocricy.

 

[G-Bus]

Nobody is freaking out really. Just pointing out the double standards and hypocricy.

Given the amount of times characters have been white washed, can you point to an equel, or even a handful of "black washed" characters?

Come on people. Use the same train of thought when minorities complain about white washing and your usual response.

 

[Nobody_Important]

She's cute and has a good voice. I don't see the problem here.

This. People who are actually getting upset by this need to get a grip.


These live action remakes though are......not great so far.

 

[nkarafo]

Given the amount of times characters have been white washed, can you point to an equel, or even a handful of "black washed" characters?

Come on people. Use the same train of thought when minorities complain about white washing and your usual response.

I don't care about either tbh. But it is annoying when one is considered as something bad and racist and the other is "progressive" and good.

 

[triplestation]

Maybe they instructed them to hire a ginger, but the guy taking notes was dyslexic?

 

[brap]

Given the amount of times characters have been white washed, can you point to an equel, or even a handful of "black washed" characters?

Come on people. Use the same train of thought when minorities complain about white washing and your usual response.

 

[Nobody_Important]

Maybe they instructed them to hire a ginger, but the guy taking notes was dyslexic?

Oh wow. So we are just throwing around the N-word on Gaf now? That's where we are at?

Keylime

 

[JimmyJones]

>mulan is asian
>belle is white
>jasmine is brown
>cinderella is white
>mowgli is a brown kid
>the only redhead is now a black woman
Disney live action remakes are all shit but still. I can't be the only one seeing this.

Definitely an interesting choice. Disney wanted super accurate casting for the Aladdin, Lion King and Mulan movies. Why not for this?

 

[brap]

Oh wow. So we are just throwing around the N-word on Gaf now? That's where we are at?

Keylime

Where did he throw around the n-word?

 

[Nobody_Important]

Nevermind. Gonna let the mods deal with it.

 

[nkarafo]

Damn dude...

I only knew like two of these.

 

[JareBear: Remastered]

I didn’t have a problem with The Ancient One being Tilda Swinton, I don’t have a problem with this casting. I get it. It’s okay for concepts to change over time, in my opinion. At the end of the day it’s all gonna be okay.

Where did he throw around the n-word?

I mean, I’m not pointing a finger or anything, don’t know for certain what he meant, but I’m not entirely sure what else could be implied/inferred from implying the concept of dyslexia in relation the word “ginger,” in this case especially.

 

[Lone Wolf]

So when you go to the Disney parks, will there be a black Ariel and a white Ariel?

 

[Gavin Stevens]

My wife loves little mermaid. She literary just said “fuck off” when I showed her that pic.

There’s casting to try and appeal to wider audience. That’s ok. Sometimes you can interchange sexes and races and that’s totally fine. But this is fucking stupid. This would be like Luke Skywalker being a lesbian, or Buzz Lightyear suddenly being gay... If you want a character like that, make a new one. Don’t edit something hugely popular just for the sake of looking “woke”.

 

[NahaNago]

This was rumored to be happening for awhile now so I was mentally prepared for this but I'm still disappointed.

 

[Lone Wolf]

My wife loves little mermaid. She literary just said “fuck off” when I showed her that pic.

There’s casting to try and appeal to wider audience. That’s ok. Sometimes you can interchange sexes and races and that’s totally fine. But this is fucking stupid. This would be like Luke Skywalker being a lesbian, or Buzz Lightyear suddenly being gay... If you want a character like that, make a new one. Don’t edit something hugely popular just for the sake of looking “woke”.

We were 100 percent seeing this, as this movie and princess is a family favorite. We are out.

 

[brap]

I didn’t have a problem with The Ancient One being Tilda Swinton, I don’t have a problem with this casting. I get it. It’s okay for concepts to change over time, in my opinion. At the end of the day it’s all gonna be okay.



I mean, I’m not pointing a finger or anything, don’t know for certain what he meant, but I’m not entirely sure what else could be implied/inferred from implying the concept of dyslexia in relation the word “ginger,” in this case especially.

I mean he wasn't the only one who said something like that. Not gonna name any names though.

 

[Barnabot]

Does it really payoff for Disney doing all these kind of live-action reboots?
Why doesn't Disney try to do something different? And using animated cartoons instead ? It's been a while.

 

[Ellis]

My wife loves little mermaid. She literary just said “fuck off” when I showed her that pic.

There’s casting to try and appeal to wider audience. That’s ok. Sometimes you can interchange sexes and races and that’s totally fine. But this is fucking stupid. This would be like Luke Skywalker being a lesbian, or Buzz Lightyear suddenly being gay... If you want a character like that, make a new one. Don’t edit something hugely popular just for the sake of looking “woke”.

You might want to spoiler tag this as those that haven't yet seen the movie will just think you're joking.

 

[JORMBO]

Disney taking jobs away from the gingers.

 

[nkarafo]

You might want to spoiler tag this as those that haven't yet seen the movie will just think you're joking.

What's going on here?

 

[McCheese]

Nevermind. Gonna let the mods deal with it.

Well, the problem is that that you likely imagine me as a white dude making that joke. But the two things to consider are 1.) I'm not, and 2.) it's funny tho isn't it?

 

[InterMusketeer]

Live-action remakes all suck ass. I noticed how Disney's been ramping up production on Lion King merchandise for the upcoming movie recently. What's noteworthy though, is that it's always the animated versions of the characters. Random lions on a t-shirt and some realistic lion toys aren't recognizable as Simba or Mufasa or whatever. It's the animated versions that people recognize and love. Get these shitty remakes outta here!

 

[RiccochetJ]

She has a terrific voice. I'm not holding out hope because their live action movies have been pretty meh so far. I think Lion King will be good, but that isn't really live action.

You might want to spoiler tag this as those that haven't yet seen the movie will just think you're joking.

Wait what?

 

[Gavin Stevens]

Buzz could never be gay. Have you seen Tim Allen?

 

[nkarafo]

I noticed how Disney's been ramping up production on Lion King merchandise for the upcoming movie recently.

How marketable a bunch of realistic animals can be anyway? It's not like any of the characters have something to make them distinct and memorable. Just normal animals of the jungle that exist since forever now.

 

[MetalAlien]

They should cast that gamer girl that is selling her ass water!

 

[cr0w]

I really feel like they missed an opportunity to cast someone with a disability who uses a wheelchair. Mermaids don't have legs, so this would have been the right time to represent a minority with a handicap. I'm gonna boycott it.

Better yet, they could keep it a secret until she gets her legs, and then we'll see her fish half disappear and reveal she's been in a wheelchair all along.

 

[iconmaster]

So when you go to the Disney parks, will there be a black Ariel and a white Ariel?

Yes, and they’ll have a daughter.

 

[NahaNago]

Does it really payoff for Disney doing all these kind of live-action reboots?
Why doesn't Disney try to do something different? And using animated cartoons instead ? It's been a while.

I was just thinking about that. Disney will run out of cartoons to make live actions for so they should have kept some studios around to make at least one animated movie a year. I mean we had Dumbo, Aladdin, and now Lion King all in one year. I think all that is left is Mulan, Hunchback, and Tarzan( I feel like I'm missing some).

 

[Paracelsus]

How marketable a bunch of realistic animals can be anyway? It's not like any of the characters have something to make them distinct and memorable. Just normal animals of the jungle that exist since forever now.

To kids? Not much. Furries on the other hand...

 

[kegkilla]

This doesn't offend me as a white person, but it does offend me as a former lifeguard who knows how terrible black people are at swimming.

 

[Cunth]

This doesn't offend me as a white person, but it does offend me as a former lifeguard who knows how terrible black people are at swimming.

Black Men Can't Float? Finally, some revenge

 

[Mohonky]

Well, the problem is that that you likely imagine me as a white dude making that joke. But the two things to consider are 1.) I'm not, and 2.) it's funny tho isn't it?

You're African American?

Makes for an interesting conundrum if so.

 

[Revolutionary]

Not like this...
Ariel is the reason why I love redheads lol

 

[Whitesnake]

Oh wow. So we are just throwing around the N-word on Gaf now? That's where we are at?

Keylime

He didn’t tnrow it around. He didn’t even actually say it.

It was a joke.

Stop being such a pussy.

 

[Bryank75]

My imaginary girlfriend in my head is a real life version of Ariel so her legacy is safe. I don’t care who plays her in a made up movie.

Disney have hired Black DiCaprio and his Inception team to enter your dreams and erase her! Don't sleep!!

 

[bitbydeath]

Oh wow. So we are just throwing around the N-word on Gaf now? That's where we are at?

Keylime

Notes was the only N word I saw... is that got a negative connotation to it now?

 

[merlinevo]

Remember how people reacted to this? The movie is still doing good at the box office.

I guess if a black guy can play a blue genie without people complaining, this is the natural next logical step for disney. Until people stop paying to see these new inclusion, disney will continue pushing the boundaries.

The good thing is it will only be a matter of time before white people begin to realize that hollywood no represents them or their interest and tune out. Erasing and rewriting history, minority overrepresentation, and recasting the anatagonist and protaganist in their tradition roles can go too far until people get fed up.

We see it in videogames, with the constant push for females representation and the core gamers tuning out.

 

[Cunth]

He didn’t tnrow it around. He didn’t even actually say it.

It was a joke.

Stop being such a pussy.

mods help!

 

[brap]

Black Men Can't Float? Finally, some revenge

The movie we need in these trying times.

Remember how people reacted to this? The movie is still doing good at the box office.

I guess if a black guy can play a blue genie without people complaining, this is the natural next logical step for disney. Until people stop paying to see these new inclusion, disney will continue pushing the boundaries.

The good thing is it will only be a matter of time before white people begin to realize that hollywood no represents them or their interest and tune out. Erasing and rewriting history, minority overrepresentation, and recasting the anatagonist and protaganist in their tradition roles can go too far until people get fed up.

We see it in videogames, with the constant push for females representation and the core gamers tuning out.

I mean the genie was blue so anybody could play him imo. Plus tons of people like Big Willy anyway.

 

[Grand Theft Scratchy]

I don't care. It's a Disney cartoon for little girls.

 

[brap]

I don't care. It's a Disney cartoon for little girls.

Video games are toys for little boys and girls.

 

[Nobody_Important]

Well, the problem is that that you likely imagine me as a white dude making that joke. But the two things to consider are 1.) I'm not, and 2.) it's funny tho isn't it?

That changes the dynamic obviously, but no I didn't find it funny.

 

[SLoWMoTIoN]

Well, the problem is that that you likely imagine me as a white dude making that joke. But the two things to consider are 1.) I'm not, and 2.) it's funny tho isn't it?

You are Asian?

 

[RokkanStoned]

Mulan is set in China and is Chinese, a fiction based on a real place and people.
Belle is French and the setting is France, a real people and a real place.
Jasmine is Arab, and the people of Alladin are based on real people.
Cinderella is European and the story is based in Europe.
Mowgli is Indian, a fictional character based on a real group of people and country.

Belle is a mermaid. A completely fictional race of humanoid not based on any real humans. If anything, they're based off of stories from horny sailors thinking seaweed covered manatees are hot chicks. If any movie can take liberties of deviation from the original animation, this is the one.

I would say you're kinda wrong here. The movie itself is clearly placed in a western European country or pseudo-western European country. Just like Cinderella. The fairy tale also has signs of being set somewhere along the southern/southwestern European coast or around the Mediterranean sea. The same thing happens in Aladdin, where you technically have various elements from a hyper compartmentalized fictional country carrying elements from the Middle East, Saudi Arabia, India and some of the countries in the Mediterranean. Belle and Mulan is definitely clearly, explicitly set in France and China last time I checked.

Now, regarding Ariel, we already have a design showing her as white skinned and redheaded, that shouldn't be up to dispute and this is just a live action adaptation of a Disney adaptation. So Disney has by far now established the setting as a European-esque country and it has also clearly established how the characters look. Now to use the original fairy tale as a basis:

"[...]at hendes Fiskehale var borte, og at hun havde de nydeligste smaae, hvide Been, nogen lille Pige kunde have, men hun var ganske nøgen, derfor svøbte hun sig ind i sit store, lange Haar. Prindsen spurgte, hvem hun var, og hvorledes hun var kommet her, og hun saae mildt og dog saa bedrøvet paa ham med sine mørkeblaae Øine, tale kunde hun jo ikke [...]" (hvide Been = white legs, mørkeblaae Øine = dark blue eyes)

"[...] deilig lille Havfrue stod nedenfor og rakte sine hvide Hænder op imod Kjølen. [...]" (hvide Hænder = white hands)

"[...] da hævede den lille Havfrue sine smukke hvide Arme [...]" (hvide Arme = white arms)

Honestly, there are far more justifications for changing up the prince then there's for changing up Ariel. The prince was described as having dark eyes and black hair. I imagine he was intended as a spanish prince or from at least somewhere near the Mediterranean sea. There are numerous signs and there's too many actual churches and christian symbolism in the story to imagine it's some other place than a place like our world, but where our myths are real. It's some hyper compartmentalized version of western coast of Europe in the Disney movie and it's some hyper compartmentalized southwestern/southern Europe in the book.