DC and their "Urban Demographic"

[Abaddon]

For the love of Huey P. Newton....Please don't cast any of these younger hip-hop artist in this role.

the director will think it's "relevant" that he's a "Gansta: Green Lantern. And if you ever read about John Stewart (old school) he was nothing like that.

Go with a more accomplished actor. My vote is Morris Chestnut.

A great actor and spittin' image of John Stewart (at least how he looks now, persoanlly I prefer the old school look)

he should be Luke Cage

 

[Nokio]

I love Hill Herper but I believe he's just too short and young to play a hero like Green Lantern. He's one of my favorite actors though.

Have you done yor research? Hil Harper is like 40. We are talking the same Hil harper right? The one I speak of is on CSI.

 

[Nokio]

So you think they should ignore them? Do you realize that the MPAA recognizes that African Americans, although 12% of the moviegoing population, are the most frequent movie goers with hispanics a close second (see their Movie Attendance Study on page 27)? Hispanics come in a close second. That is why they are trying to target that demographic. They go to the movies quite often if you give them something they would be interested in seeing. TI is a popular recording artist and has impressed producers in Hollywood with his raw acting skills. He is also been fortunate to associate himself with great actors (his latest film, "American Gangster" has him in a supporting role with former Oscar winners Russel Crowe and Denzel Washington). This is probably why the studio is giveing him a look. His latent acting talent and potential appeal to both African Americans and fans of Hip Hop could help bring a few more people (especially women) to the theaters to watch the film and garner more revenue in th process. If the budget swell to more than $200 million they are going to need as many people they can attract just to get their money back on the investment. Tyrese Gibson falls in the same category. I wouldn't look at this as a token black situation at all, but rather a willful desire to cast a black actor inorder to satisfy the needs and desires of the corresponding audience demographic and to increase overall attendance. Just keep in mind that just because these people tested for the role, it doesn't mean that they are going to get it.

Good post, but i think you need to realize that Black people aren't going to go see JL for TI's sake. I hate it when white people suggest this and Holywood thinks this. WB could usa Hal and black folk would still go and see it. TI is just not the right choice. I've seen nothing of this guy that proves he can act. He just isn't JS. TI is about 5'9 and weighs about 140 pounds. Now i could overlook his weight and height if he was good actor, but based off the projects that i've seen him he needs to get more work under his belt. At this point I'll accept Tyrese.

Am also curious as to why TI is now deemed box office gold to blacks? TI is a rapper who's had decent success. He hasn't sold a ton of albums and has appeared in one film with another coming up. I just don't see the logic or thinking of WB if they think that TI is gonna draw in the negros, when a lot of black people could care less about TI. Also older blacks and young children have no idea who he is. People are giving TI to much appeal and clout. Now if it was Will Smith announced to possiably be JS, then i could see, but TI???? I don't see it.

 

[Dr. Fate]

All I can say is this: Lord of the Rings had no black characters, and the LOTR trilogy made millions of dollars all over the world.

As for casting John Stewart, well, yeah if they absolutely must have him, I'd prefer an actor to a singer.

 

[DarkSuperman]

^^^

Precisely. Hire a real actor to play the character, not a wanna be Actor.

 

[chamber-music]

DMX
Wayans Brothers
Anthony Anderson
NAS
Mos Def
Ice Cube

There, now every black male actor that isn't Denzel or older has been suggested for the role of John Stewart.

I'm still sticking to Roger Cross.

I wouldn't class any of those people as good actors besides Mos Def who was a actor before a rapper.

I hate that people always bring up the same big name black actors for every role. Denzel, Terrence Howard, Sam Jackson, Tyrese and Jamie Foxx can't play everyone.

 

[Billy Batson]

All I can say is this: Lord of the Rings had no black characters, and the LOTR trilogy made millions of dollars all over the world.

[YT]tAXZ88macck[/YT]

 

[Billy Batson]

 

[Brian Braddock]

As a big fan of Dexter - I could see Erik King (Sgt. Doakes) playing Stewart.

Built like a tank as befuiting a superhero and takes no $hit. Perfect for John.

Plus, he's a solid actor (as opposed to a rapper etc)

 

[dnno1]

Good post, but i think you need to realize that Black people aren't going to go see JL for TI's sake. I hate it when white people suggest this and Holywood thinks this. WB could usa Hal and black folk would still go and see it. TI is just not the right choice. I've seen nothing of this guy that proves he can act. He just isn't JS. TI is about 5'9 and weighs about 140 pounds. Now i could overlook his weight and height if he was good actor, but based off the projects that i've seen him he needs to get more work under his belt. At this point I'll accept Tyrese.

The casting of someone like TI or Gibson is not necessarily intended to attract Justice League fans. Its intent is to attract the demographic that likes hip hop music and genre as well as fans of TI and young adult blacks. The general statement that black people aren't going to see JL for TI's sake is false since there could be a good number of African Americans and blacks that will. I can not speak on TI being the the right choice or not since I have not seen him act or perform. What I can say is that there are reports that the studios were impressed with his performance in "American Ganster" and that is part of the reason why he got the screen test. Also there have been a number of hip-hop recording artists that have made the crossover to the big (and the small) screen and have done very well.

Am also curious as to why TI is now deemed box office gold to blacks? TI is a rapper who's had decent success. He hasn't sold a ton of albums and has appeared in one film with another coming up. I just don't see the logic or thinking of WB if they think that TI is gonna draw in the negros, when a lot of black people could care less about TI. Also older blacks and young children have no idea who he is. People are giving TI to much appeal and clout. Now if it was Will Smith announced to possiably be JS, then i could see, but TI???? I don't see it.

I doubt that anyone in the black community has done that. This is purley a speculative move by the WB and other studios and it is partly based on some of the work that he has already done in films, his popularity in the music inustry, and his looks. Casting him would be equivalent to casting Elvis as Superman or Zac Effron as The Flash or Snapper Carr. The buzz alone would (or would have) attracted thousands of women to the teaters.

 

[Hole Shot]

I wouldn't class any of those people as good actors besides Mos Def who was a actor before a rapper.

I was being facetious

 

[Vaportrail]

Trying to appeal to a "minority audience" in such a way isn't exactly a new tactic.

I can't say I'm surprised. I just hope they get someone good.

-Vaportrail

 

[DarkSuperman]

As a big fan of Dexter - I could see Erik King (Sgt. Doakes) playing Stewart.

Built like a tank as befuiting a superhero and takes no $hit. Perfect for John.

Plus, he's a solid actor (as opposed to a rapper etc)

Nice likeness.

 

[Nokio]

All I can say is this: Lord of the Rings had no black characters, and the LOTR trilogy made millions of dollars all over the world.

As for casting John Stewart, well, yeah if they absolutely must have him, I'd prefer an actor to a singer.

Well this isn't LOTR. So what's your point? No black people in the films you have an interest in? JS is a real character from DC, he's not made up for the upcoming film, this isn't a chracter who's race has been changed. YEAH THEY ABSOLUTELY MUST HAVE HIM BECUASE HE'S A REAL GREEN LATERN! It would be the same with Hal, Kyle, and Guy if they were used. Just get over it, they've decided on JS as the GL, the rest of the film is still goint to be 98-99% white.

With all this b!tching and moaning over a black GL, I seriously doubt that no matter what black actor is used, even a good choice the haters will still find fault and a reason to hate him because he's not the whit um I mean Hal or Kyle or Guy.

 

[Nokio]

The casting of someone like TI or Gibson is not necessarily intended to attract Justice League fans. Its intent is to attract the demographic that likes hip hop music and genre as well as fans of TI and young adult blacks. The general statement that black people aren't going to see JL for TI's sake is false since there could be a good number of African Americans and blacks that will. I can not speak on TI being the the right choice or not since I have not seen him act or perform. What I can say is that there are reports that the studios were impressed with his performance in "American Ganster" and that is part of the reason why he got the screen test. Also there have been a number of hip-hop recording artists that have made the crossover to the big (and the small) screen and have done very well.



I doubt that anyone in the black community has done that. This is purley a speculative move by the WB and other studios and it is partly based on some of the work that he has already done in films, his popularity in the music inustry, and his looks. Casting him would be equivalent to casting Elvis as Superman or Zac Effron as The Flash or Snapper Carr. The buzz alone would (or would have) attracted thousands of women to the teaters.

I see how you're trying to explain this and maybe you're trying from a studio exec's position but being black and i have all my life i can tell you that neither blacks or the hiphop demo(me as well) would be going to see the JLA for TI. They'll be going for Bats, Supes, WW, and the rest of them because they are doing the team thing and all of the popular heroes are in one movie. I won't dismiss your claims cause there will undoubtly be some die hard fans of TI who'll go but in the overall moviegoing audience they would make up less then a half percent out of a 100. It'll be like throwing a drop of water on a forrest fire. The only rapper that I could say that would aid in the box office would be Will Smith but not any others.

Not sure as to why you or WB would think that Tyrese would attract the hiphop demo, cause he's an RaB singer, and even though he sings well he is probably more known for his acting then his musical career to the general audience outside of the RnB demo. Tyrese had semi popularity back in the late 90's along with likes of Brandy or Usher. He did the MTV hosting gig and then he went into acting and has been doing that every since. He put out an album recently that I don't think did to well, but him as an hiphop draw?????? Can't back you up on that claim, but maybe you and warners are seeing something hiphop about him that I don't.

Thousands of women running to theaters? Now that's pretty funny. We are talking TI right? Maybe i'm off or maybe cause I'm a guy but I don't see it. I've known women to go crazy over LL and see him as a sex symbol but TI? The bulk of hios fan base are male. I do like TI by the way but his clout again is being way overhyped. He's had platinum success as a rapper and he got popularity but he still has a ways to go to make it to the level of Will Smith where he can attract a ton of people to theaters based off his name alone.

 

[Hole Shot]

JS is a real character from DC, he's not made up for the upcoming film, this isn't a chracter who's race has been changed. YEAH THEY ABSOLUTELY MUST HAVE HIM BECUASE HE'S A REAL GREEN LATERN!

Exactly.

This whole debate they'd cast Stewart just to appeal to a broader demograhpic is annoying. I've never seen a film, especially in this genre that had a greater or lesser turnout by black audience members simply because of the color of the hero's skin.

The theater I frequent, I'd say usually has about a 20-30% African-American attendees when its a packed house. That didn't change regardless if the movie was Spider-Man, LOTR or Blade 2 (not nearly as big a film as the other two, but packed that theater opening weekend nonetheless).

When I saw Transformers on opening night, it was probably over 50% at the midnight screening. And listening to the chatter in the line and in the theater prior to the movie, nobody was talking about Tyrese or Anthony Anderson, they were talking about the Transformers, reminiscing about the cartoon and telling their kids about the toys they had growing up.

People don't go to a movie hoping that their demographic is properly represented, they obviously don't want to be offended or insulted, but in the end everyone is going to see this movie for the same reason - to be entertained. Regardless if it's Hal or John sporting the ring.

I see how you're trying to explain this and maybe you're trying from a studio exec's position but being black and i have all my life i can tell you that neither blacks or the hiphop demo(me as well) would be going to see the JLA for TI.

Already said this earlier in the thread, but if they cast hip-hop star to play GL, it's going to draw greater appeal from white teenagers in suburbia than black audience members. Nokio, tell me if I'm wrong, but I'd assume that the black audience may be more offended than anything if John Stewart is transformed into a hiphop slang talking cliche in a lame attempt from the studio to be cool.

 

[Arkady Rossovich]

Where...is...Hal...Jordan..

 

[Mr. Socko]

I like Stewart, just cast a good actor.

But if we're going to have to cast a musician, let's get hick-hop sensation Cowboy Troy! Yeeeehawww!

 

[Dr. Fate]

Well this isn't LOTR. So what's your point?

Just saying that not having a black character in JLA won't necessarily destroy its chances of being a hit.

 

[jrd550]

It also sounds like they are going with a "WB" tween approach for casting this - all pretty and shallow.

 

[Dr. Fate]

Where...is...Hal...Jordan..

He's at home, washing his tights. [cue maniacal laughter]

 

[Hole Shot]

there's a lot doctors posting tonight.

 

[Dr. Fate]

there's a lot doctors posting tonight.

We're taking over the world one thread at a time.

 

[Nokio]

Exactly.

This whole debate they'd cast Stewart just to appeal to a broader demograhpic is annoying. I've never seen a film, especially in this genre that had a greater or lesser turnout by black audience members simply because of the color of the hero's skin.

The theater I frequent, I'd say usually has about a 20-30% African-American attendees when its a packed house. That didn't change regardless if the movie was Spider-Man, LOTR or Blade 2 (not nearly as big a film as the other two, but packed that theater opening weekend nonetheless).

When I saw Transformers on opening night, it was probably over 50% at the midnight screening. And listening to the chatter in the line and in the theater prior to the movie, nobody was talking about Tyrese or Anthony Anderson, they were talking about the Transformers, reminiscing about the cartoon and telling their kids about the toys they had growing up.

People don't go to a movie hoping that their demographic is properly represented, they obviously don't want to be offended or insulted, but in the end everyone is going to see this movie for the same reason - to be entertained. Regardless if it's Hal or John sporting the ring.



Already said this earlier in the thread, but if they cast hip-hop star to play GL, it's going to draw greater appeal from white teenagers in suburbia than black audience members. Nokio, tell me if I'm wrong, but I'd assume that the black audience may be more offended than anything if John Stewart is transformed into a hiphop slang talking cliche in a lame attempt from the studio to be cool.

Agreed! But not on everything. i guess we'll never see eye to eye. I just feel that Supes and the others are going to be the draw as opposed to who's cast. I just can't agree that the surburbia teens are going to go and see the JLA becuase of TI (or insert popular rapper) over the concept of the JLA. I could be wrong. Can't say that i know any surburban white teens and maybe you have more of an insight then I do, especially if you're white and if that's the case you'll know more then me about white teens, but i just don't by them or anyone going to see this movie based off casting a certain actor. Yeah if said actor is someone like Will Smith but other wise no. Again I'd like to belive it's the concept over anything, much like why people went and seen the Transformers for the Bots.

 

[dnno1]

I see how you're trying to explain this and maybe you're trying from a studio exec's position but being black and i have all my life i can tell you that neither blacks or the hiphop demo(me as well) would be going to see the JLA for TI. They'll be going for Bats, Supes, WW, and the rest of them because they are doing the team thing and all of the popular heroes are in one movie. I won't dismiss your claims cause there will undoubtly be some die hard fans of TI who'll go but in the overall moviegoing audience they would make up less then a half percent out of a 100. It'll be like throwing a drop of water on a Forrest fire. The only rapper that I could say that would aid in the box office would be Will Smith but not any others.

I see how you are trying to speak for all blacks and (in particular) African Americans without polling them when that is impossible unless you are psychic (which you aren't). First off T.I. is one of the hottest and biggest selling hip hop artists right now. This year he won a Grammy for Best Rap Solo Performance with the song "What You Know", which was a major smash in 2006. That particular song was used to promote the Warner Brothers film "ATL", a film that featured Cliff "T.I." Harris and grossed $12.3 million in its opening week (third in US box office then). I am sure the WB is looking at that, not your opinion, and considering whether T.I. could help bring in those kinds of fans to see JLA. They aren't necessarily JLA or comic book fans, but are more than likely interested in the actor/performer and want to see him in pictures (at least that is the theory and is probably why they tested him).

Not sure as to why you or WB would think that Tyrese would attract the hiphop demo, cause he's an RaB singer, and even though he sings well he is probably more known for his acting then his musical career to the general audience outside of the RnB demo. Tyrese had semi popularity back in the late 90's along with likes of Brandy or Usher. He did the MTV hosting gig and then he went into acting and has been doing that every since. He put out an album recently that I don't think did to well, but him as an hiphop draw?????? Can't back you up on that claim, but maybe you and warners are seeing something hiphop about him that I don't.

Just for the record, Tyrese Gibson is also considered a Hip Hop singer because a number of his songs feature hip hop artists, making them fall into that category. According to Wikipedia, at the beginning of his career, he was a rapper and went under the name "Black Ty". That shows you how much you really know about him and makes me question why you want to speak for the black community. According to Riotsound.com, Tyrese is considered one of the most versatile and omnipresent entertainers of his generation due to his involvement as a singer, writer, actor, and producer. He was the star actor in several films ("2 Fast 2 Furious" comes to mind - that film grossed a total of $234 million world wide) and and I am sure the studio is looking at that when considering him and a candidate.

Thousands of women running to theaters? Now that's pretty funny. We are talking TI right? Maybe i'm off or maybe cause I'm a guy but I don't see it. I've known women to go crazy over LL and see him as a sex symbol but TI? The bulk of hios fan base are male. I do like TI by the way but his clout again is being way overhyped. He's had platinum success as a rapper and he got popularity but he still has a ways to go to make it to the level of Will Smith where he can attract a ton of people to theaters based off his name alone.

Yeah, you're off. I wouldn't be wrong in saying thousands (maybe underestimating it, but not wrong). He is not a bad looking guy and there are a lot of women that like to see good looking guys on a film. I can safely say the number of people that would go to see him in a film is more than 2 million (conservatively based on the returns from the film "ATL") and less than the number of people who would go to see Denzel Washington in a movie.