Dick Grayson Casting Thread

[PeterBenParker]

I just want who is best for the role.

 

[Boom]

How about Joe Keery?

 

[superman-mos]

It is way more lazy to assume that casting a minority to play the role is being done "for diversity". Not to mention you are basically saying the only people who have the chops to play said character is white which is ridiculous.

The best person for the part should get it...if that person is non-white so be it.

I don't believe that has ever come up . I don't think anyone ever said only a white guy could play Nightwing . If that's what was taken from my comments then let me be the first to sincerely apologize because that was not my intent . It's a given that sometimes the casting is done strictly for diversity , it's something that comes up very very often . Let me try a bit harder

1. I don't like seeing characters changed so that diversity can be added . Not when so many other non white characters who are fantastic on their own exist

2. When I say lazy I mean it often seems like that they change a character so that they can tap into that characters fan base instead of putting in the work to elevate the popularity of an already established character of a non white race

3. Comments like " Iron Fist should be Asian " and other similar comments . It seems more sterotypical for an Asian to be in the king fu master role than just adapting the character as is

4. Race / gender change can and has worked . It's just not always necessary and often seems like it's done for no other reason than diversity .

5. Batwing ,Duke Thomas , Lady Shiva, Vixen, Black Lightening , Thunder , Blue Beetle (Jamie Reyes), The Atom ( Ryan Choi), John Stewart, Kyle Rayner , Bumblebee, John Henry/Steel, Cyborg, etc . All these characters are great characters of race and genders that can be used and elevated instead of changing an established character. I wanna see other characters like these used and used to their full potential .

 

[FeedOnATreeFrog]

Not that I think they need to specifically aim for a minority, but I'd be kinda stoked if an asian guy was cast as Dick simply because asian guys are very rarely portrayed as sex symbols in Hollywood movies, let alone leading men in general, so to have an asian guy be the sexy superhero would seem to rectify that a bit.

 

[2kt09]

2. When I say lazy I mean it often seems like that they change a character so that they can tap into that characters fan base instead of putting in the work to elevate the popularity of an already established character of a non white race.

3. Comments like " Iron Fist should be Asian " and other similar comments . It seems more stereotypical for an Asian to be in the kung fu master role than just adapting the character as is

4. Race / gender change can and has worked . It's just not always necessary and often seems like it's done for no other reason than diversity .

5. Batwing ,Duke Thomas , Lady Shiva, Vixen, Black Lightening , Thunder , Blue Beetle (Jamie Reyes), The Atom ( Ryan Choi), John Stewart, Kyle Rayner , Bumblebee, John Henry/Steel, Cyborg, etc . All these characters are great characters of race and genders that can be used and elevated instead of changing an established character. I wanna see other characters like these used and used to their full potential .

2. Most of the cases that come to mind did just that wherein either the actor cemented the performance or the filmmakers actually made said character more interesting be it coincidental or the change motivated them.

3. Iron Fist is a total damned if you, damned if you don't between an asian or white actor - "white savior"

5. DC's affirmative action Falcon, affirmative action Robin, stereotypical martial artist, stereotypical African superhero, Black Lightning/Thunder/Lightning/Static, affirmative action Blue Beetle, affirmative action Atom, affirmative action GL, DC's affirmative action Wasp, now we might be going somewhere if they're not technically blaxploitation heroes

Exaggerating on some of those and even like/love most of these guys, but I hope you notice the irony.

 

[superman-mos]

2. Most of the cases that come to mind did just that wherein either the actor cemented the performance or the filmmakers actually made said character more interesting be it coincidental or the change motivated them.

3. Iron Fist is a total damned if you, damned if you don't between an asian or white actor - "white savior"

5. DC's affirmative action Falcon, affirmative action Robin, stereotypical martial artist, stereotypical African superhero, Black Lightning/Thunder/Lightning/Static, affirmative action Blue Beetle, affirmative action Atom, affirmative action GL, DC's affirmative action Wasp, now we might be going somewhere if they're not technically blaxploitation heroes

Exaggerating on some of those and even like/love most of these guys, but I hope you notice the irony.

You are completely right about the Iron Fist thing ( still love the character). Sometimes the change works and sometimes it don't . My main point is ignoring diverse characters to change an established character to fit the diversity quota . I'm not against in most cases just want it done for the right reasons if it is to be done . Not for shock value , not for diversity sake , not to make a statement . If it's truly gonna add to character then ok let's see what happens . In Nightwings case I don't see where it would add much to the characters depth , maybe I'm wrong . At the end of the day like most things it's all opinion based . Remember the backlash of a dark haired American playing Constantine? It's about staying true to the character, that's what matters

 

[FeedOnATreeFrog]

It's about staying true to the character, that's what matters

Well different things matter to different people. And it always depends on the character.

For me it usually depends on how iconic they are. Like I personally champion changing the ethnicity or nationality of Nightwing, Hal Jordan, Barry Allen, etc, but I would so not be down if they changed Clark Kent.

 

[Mandon Knight]

Any comic book character, of any race, ethnicity or background can be played by anyone, for me, as long as the ideals, the character viewpoint and essence of the original concept are in place, does it matter what skin colour they are, we are a race, yep of course, but we are the human race. Of course, in certain characters with a heritage of background forming their historical and cultural reference, changing would be a major no no, but as I say, there is zero reason why in this case Dick couldn't be Asian, Black American, African-American, Chinese, whatever, it's the actor's quality that is the key factor in any casting, can they portray the character dynamics... Yes, good, hire them regardless of what social or racial demographic they live within a context of.

 

[Rodrigo90]

I'd like to see an asian actor play Grayson. No problem with that.

Change it up. Throw in a major appeal for the Chinese market: The Graysons are now a family of Chinese acrobats.

(That kid in the top-left already looks like he could play Dick in his Robin stages.)

 

[superman-mos]

Well different things matter to different people. And it always depends on the character.

For me it usually depends on how iconic they are. Like I personally champion changing the ethnicity or nationality of Nightwing, Hal Jordan, Barry Allen, etc, but I would so not be down if they changed Clark Kent.

I would argue that the characters you listed were very iconic in their own right . I mean that's part of the big 7 in the D.C. Universe . I'm not opposed to a change of it makes sense . Like Momoa playing Aquaman , he isn't the blonde haired white guy but once the casting was announced it made perfect sense . You could argue that Dick Grayson is iconic simply due to him being the other half of Batman and Robin. He is the most well know Robin to the general audience. If they cast an Asian , African, or whatever American to play the part I won't be mad or upset . I just hate to see it done for the sake of doing it is all. At least let the casting make sense . Now Hal Jordan is no reason to race change when John Stewart exists

 

[combocaz]

Adrian Grenier

 

[Eddie Dean]

Adrian Grenier

lol

 

[Sawyer]

Anyone suggested Shiloh Fernandez? I could dig that...

 

[FeedOnATreeFrog]

Now Hal Jordan is no reason to race change when John Stewart exists

Well there are more races than white and black. And Hal isn't the only white GL. There's Guy too.

 

[superman-mos]

Well there are more races than white and black. And Hal isn't the only white GL. There's Guy too.

Yes there are more races than white and black , hope that's not how that statement was taken . If I'm not mistaken Kyle is Latino or was half Latino or am I wrong ? Just curious

 

[Marvelboi92]

Yes there are more races than white and black , hope that's not how that statement was taken . If I'm not mistaken Kyle is Latino or was half Latino or am I wrong ? Just curious

Kyle is indeed Latino

 

[superman-mos]

Kyle is indeed Latino

I was thinking he was . Doesn't seem like it's ever been played up or even really acknowledged much though. Not that needs to be but just seems like it was mentioned in the comics maybe a handful of times at most and then just never brought up again .

 

[shauner111]

Didn't know this was the new Green Lantern thread.

TeamJohnStewart

 

[Black Narcissus]

I personally dont give a damn about the fans that grew up with the character. I want them to reach out to a wide variety of acting net out there. If he ends up being blk, asian, latino etc, it is fine by me. I just want the proper actor for the role.

 

[Mandon Knight]

I personally dont give a damn about the fans that grew up with the character. I want them to reach out to a wide variety of acting net out there. If he ends up being blk, asian, latino etc, it is fine by me. I just want the proper actor for the role.

That's right, we don't care where our dick comes from....

 

[KillerWolf]

We only care where it goes.

 

[FeedOnATreeFrog]

Just caught the Baby Driver trailer and thought Ansel Elgort was pretty charming there.

So was Lily James, who I think could be a good Barbara.

 

[Polux]

I just started watching Frontier, and I found a new candidate I'd like to throw in the mix: Landon Loboiron!

He's 5'10'' (Dick's official height in the comics, if I'm not mistaken....not that it really matters) and at 25 he could be a little on the young side, but actor's real age has never really been a problem; he definitely has Dick's boyish charm while also having some strength and determination to him, and he definitely has presence (standing while being threatened by Momoa on screen and not being eaten up?? Check), he may not be in Efron's shape...but that's where Mark Twight comes into play! t:

 

[Mandon Knight]

I just started watching Frontier, and I found a new candidate I'd like to throw in the mix: Landon Loboiron!

He's 5'10'' (Dick's official height in the comics, if I'm not mistaken....not that it really matters) and at 25 he could be a little on the young side, but actor's real age has never really been a problem; he definitely has Dick's boyish charm while also having some strength and determination to him, and he definitely has presence (standing while being threatened by Momoa on screen and not being eaten up?? Check), he may not be in Efron's shape...but that's where Mark Twight comes into play! t:

He looks like Daniel Radcliffe if Daniel Radcliffe had gone to a secondary modern and not prep school.

 

[Polux]

He looks like Daniel Radcliffe if Daniel Radcliffe had gone to a secondary modern and not prep school.

I don't know what that means.... t:

But I don't think his presence or that "thing" comes across in these pictures, if you have the chance try to check Frontier.