Dreamworks/Paramount's Ghost In The Shell

[DarthSkywalker]

Some very interesting stuff there.I've always wondered if the Japanese were ever annoyed with Korean and Chinese actors playing Japanese characters, very interesting to see that it is an issue.

That is exactly why when people say, "Asian" actor or actress, I am like, no. That doesn't work for the Japanese. Not at all. They'd actually care if this was a Korean or Chinese actress, and that would be a crap storm.

Where did they sample these so-called "manga fans"?

The manga company and Production IG gave Dreamworks and Paramount the license and they probably got compensated for that. I doubt they really care.

The people who are "surprised" are simply acting tone deaf on why this might upset people.

How can you say people talking about their own culture are tone deaf? You are being upset for them, for something they don't really seem to take much of a problem with. And it makes sense. Many understand this is an American adaptation.

For what it is worth, I found this article on Kotaku, in another article about the Japanese reaction on some of two of their most popular internet homes:

http://kotaku.com/the-japanese-internet-reacts-to-scarlet-johansson-in-gh-1771544034

 

[Leenie]

I mean, look at Sailor Moon. None of them look asian, at all. But apparently they're all Japanese.

This is exactly why I never, ever want a live action Sailor Moon movie to happen.

The filmmakers would literally not win no matter what they chose to do. If they cast white women who look more like the animated characters, it would be called white washing. If they cast Asian women (and dye their hair after transforming to look like the characters), then people would be complaining that they're only powerful when they look Western, thus making Asian culture look weak.

It would be a MESS if a big studio Sailor Moon movie ever happened in North America.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

When white people are more offended than the actual race that is being supposdly degraded, you know the sjw thing has gone off the rails.

As one called SJW more then once here, I find this is fascinating for this very reason.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

This is exactly why I never, ever want a live action Sailor Moon movie to happen.

The filmmakers would literally not win no matter what they chose to do. If they cast white women who look more like the animated characters, it would be called white washing. If they cast Asian women (and dye their hair after transforming to look like the characters), then people would be complaining that they're only powerful when they look Western, thus making Asian culture look weak.

It would be a MESS if a big studio Sailor Moon movie ever happened in North America.

Bull. Sophie Turner was born to play Serena. It was Brit Robertson, but she is a bit older now. So make Sophie happen.

 

[2kt09]

Bull. Sophie Turner was born to play Serena. It was Brit Robertson, but she is a bit older now. So make Sophie happen.

Annasophia Robb

 

[DarthSkywalker]

Annasophia Robb

You good poster, are a genius.

 

[Sithborg]

As one called SJW more then once here, I find this is fascinating for this very reason.

Especially with a new Magnificent Seven on the horizon.

 

[sweetre15]

This is exactly why I never, ever want a live action Sailor Moon movie to happen.

The filmmakers would literally not win no matter what they chose to do. If they cast white women who look more like the animated characters, it would be called white washing. If they cast Asian women (and dye their hair after transforming to look like the characters), then people would be complaining that they're only powerful when they look Western, thus making Asian culture look weak.

It would be a MESS if a big studio Sailor Moon movie ever happened in North America.

I've only seen pics of the live action Sailor Moon TV show that was done and I thought they all looked the part.

 

[jmc]

When white people are more offended than the actual race that is being supposdly degraded, you know the sjw thing has gone off the rails.

It really brings into question whether the issue with ethnicity in films is primarily an American thing that is blown completely out of proportion.

 

[Sithborg]

It probably is. Not as many places have quite the diversity as we do.

 

[TheVileOne]

That is exactly why when people say, "Asian" actor or actress, I am like, no. That doesn't work for the Japanese. Not at all. They'd actually care if this was a Korean or Chinese actress, and that would be a crap storm.

How can you say people talking about their own culture are tone deaf? You are being upset for them, for something they don't really seem to take much of a problem with. And it makes sense. Many understand this is an American adaptation.

I don't really know the legitimacy of the fans who commented for that article. Besides that, the Production IG and Kodansha have a stake in the movie and probably signed off on the casting. They are tone deaf on this issue.

https://***********/MingNa/status/720629012180123648

I don't know what the consensus is in Japan. But that Kotaku article that was linked seemed to be fairly mixed. And not sure how widespread that sampling was. It was hardly a consensus of "Oh that's awesome a big movie star is starring in a cool Japanese anime/manga properthy."

 

[Sithborg]

Or, just maybe, the Japanese don't fully understand the issue. I mean, it isn't exactly like Japan is super diverse.

 

[TheVileOne]

Or maybe they don't? If I'm to believe what Kotaku printed they all clearly don't fully understand the issue. To generically say they all do is false.

 

[sweetre15]

It really brings into question whether the issue with ethnicity in films is primarily an American thing that is blown completely out of proportion.

Well America is a country that prides itself on being a diverse melting pot, so it would come as no surprise that people would want diversity. Especially when Hollywood claims to be oh so progressive

 

[sweetre15]

I don't really know the legitimacy of the fans who commented for that article. Besides that, the Production IG and Kodansha have a stake in the movie and probably signed off on the casting. They are tone deaf on this issue.

https://***********/MingNa/status/720629012180123648

I don't know what the consensus is in Japan. But that Kotaku article that was linked seemed to be fairly mixed. And not sure how widespread that sampling was. It was hardly a consensus of "Oh that's awesome a big movie star is starring in a cool Japanese anime/manga properthy."

I believe Constance Wu has also shown displeasure with this as well. Most already know George Takei is against "whitewashing" as well.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

I don't really know the legitimacy of the fans who commented for that article. Besides that, the Production IG and Kodansha have a stake in the movie and probably signed off on the casting. They are tone deaf on this issue.

https://***********/MingNa/status/720629012180123648

I don't know what the consensus is in Japan. But that Kotaku article that was linked seemed to be fairly mixed. And not sure how widespread that sampling was. It was hardly a consensus of "Oh that's awesome a big movie star is starring in a cool Japanese anime/manga properthy."

So the Japanese are Tone deaf on a Japanese property...

Anyways, they say where the sampling comes from, and it is one of multiple I have seen. Japan isn't losing their mind over this. Even if they were upset, I wouldn't expect them to. Ghost in the Shell is bigger here then in Japan. It is kind of funny that a lot of Americans who are anime fans act like they "own" it in someway.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

I believe Constance Wu has also shown displeasure with this as well. Most already know George Takei is against "whitewashing" as well.

So that is two actresses, neither with Japanese roots, speaking on a Japanese property.

 

[sweetre15]

So that is two actresses, neither with Japanese roots, speaking on a Japanese property.

They're speaking that because it's another example of whitewashing in general. Just because they're Japanese doesn't discard the merit of what they're saying.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

They're speaking that because it's another example of whitewashing in general. Just because they're Japanese doesn't discard the merit of what they're saying.

Would it be a problem if they cast a Chinese actress in the role? Korean? And if not, why not?

Any nuance on this subject is lost because people who don't understand the property or its homeland are making this about their agenda.

 

[sweetre15]

Would it be a problem if they cast a Chinese actress in the role? Korean? And if not, why not?

Any nuance on this subject is lost because people who don't understand the property or its homeland are making this about their agenda.

It would most likely be a problem to people in Japan but probably not to Asian-Americans. Much like the hoopla over the casting of Ziyi Zhang in Memoirs of a Geisha. That's my guess.

But if you're interested in what Ming-Na and Constance Wu amongst others had to say here's an article:

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/asian-american-actresses-discuss-ghost-885890

 

[DarthSkywalker]

It would most likely be a problem to people in Japan but probably not to Asian-Americans. Much like the hoopla over the casting of Ziyi Zhang in Memoirs of a Geisha

So we can crap on the source because us American see Asia as one big place? Do you not see the hypocrisy? Like not even a little bit?

But if you're interested in what Ming-Na and Constance Wu amongst others had to say here's an article:

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/asian-american-actresses-discuss-ghost-885890

This is gold. Especially with the one actress born in Asia, pointing out the over hypocrisy of the situation. They do this stuff in Asia all the time. They adapt our material, with Asian actors. You see this in Bollywood like crazy as well. It is something every culture does.

Also like how Wen brings up the screen test crap like it is factual.

 

[sweetre15]

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/new...s-ghost-885890
This is gold. Especially with the one actress born in Asia, pointing out the over hypocrisy of the situation. They do this stuff in Asia all the time. They adapt our material, with Asian actors. You see this in Bollywood like crazy as well. It is something every culture does.

Now obviously a major disconnect here is that Asians in America aren't divided by countries with their own film industry where as people in those countries are along with the fact that those Asian countries are constantly in conflict with each other.

Asians in America all look at it as simply "Asian" because of that factor whether they have Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese, or Korean descents are obviously wanting a chance to get potential "star making roles" so of course they're gonna complain when said characters get race flipped or whatever.

Another thing to keep in consideration is that many countries (not all), America is not really a race specific nationality in the least and if any ethnicity had the right to be insta-tagged as American it would be Indians.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

Now obviously a major disconnect here is that Asians in America aren't divided by countries with their own film industry where as people in those countries are along with the fact that those Asian countries are constantly in conflict with each other.

Asians in America all look at it as simply "Asian" because of that factor whether they have Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese, or Korean descents are obviously wanting a chance to get potential "star making roles" so of course they're gonna complain when said characters get race flipped or whatever.

But then why bring up the source material at all? That is the issue. The argument is the character must be Asian because of the source material. But that isn't true. What you basically said is they are using this crap, making it a thing, because they want roles, not but because they care about what Ghost in the Shell is.

In which case, yep, I call hypocrisy.

 

[Logan0327]

Japanese people would be more offended if a Korean actress got the role

 

[sweetre15]

But then why bring up the source material at all? That is the issue. The argument is the character must be Asian because of the source material. But that isn't true. What you basically said is they are using this crap, making it a thing, because they want roles, but because they care about what Ghost in the Shell is.

In which case, yep, I call hypocrisy.

Those are roles they could have easily found Asians to play and arguably give Asian Americans a hero they can identify with on a big level. Considering that with a lot of minority roles they qualify for under 10% of roles in Hollywood, race specific or not....Manga/Anime adaptations have the biggest opportunities to be this for Asian-American actors in Hollywood. On the flip side of that I don't think it's a reach either that they care about the source material enough to feel that they should be cashed as such due to that as well.

Simply put, it's a multilayered situation. It's not like they're just pretending to be fans because they want roles without any knowledge of the material they're talking about.