Apocalypse Mighty as a hurricane, Gentle as the summer rain. Alexandra Shipp is Storm - Part 2

[Thread Manager]

This is a continuation thread, the old thread is [split]498549[/split]

 

[Thread Manager]

This is a continuation thread, the old thread is [split]483287[/split]

 

[Lightning Strykez!]

As someone who is dark skinned and is still waiting for proper representation of the African goddess Storm, I find issue with Shipp's casting.

Well, therein may be your first problem: Storm is not an "African" Goddess. Granted, she was worshipped there, but the girl is from Harlem. Her mother is of natural African descent, but her father is American and she was born in the States. Therefore, Storm is African-American, first and foremost. And she grew up in Cairo, Egypt. So these facts alone show that she could be really any complexion as Egyptians (which coincidentally is partly my own personal heritage) come in all shades of color including the fairer complexions. Also, even if her mother was dark-skinned, her father could've been any shade as he came from the cultural melting pot that is America.

In other words, there is great latitude for comic artists in interpreting Storm's look. This is why she is shown in a variety of complexions throughout the decades.

For a moment, FOX had it "right" with Storm in the first X-Men film. But after that, the make-up and costuming department seemed to go out of their way to Americanize Storm's appearance--she dropped the accent, and her hair was either blond or streaked and Halle's facial make-up was lightened as well. At least with Alexandra, there seems to be a concerted effort to bring the character back to its roots.

As I mentioned, Alexandra Shipp actually has more African American features than Halle Berry with her distinctively high cheekbones, slanted cat-eyes and full lips. She could never "pass" for anything other than she is--and that's a young black woman. Her complexion is not that fair. That's why I feel this is the first time since X1 that the character actually looks accurate again for this franchise.

I think we're fine and we should count our blessings; after all this is FOX. We should be glad they didn't cast a white actress to play Storm this time around--they're really into that these days. *coughJessicaAlbaSueStormMichaelBJordanHumanTorcahcough*

 

[Gail]

Well, therein lies your first problem: Storm is not an "African" Goddess. She was worshipped there, but the girl is from Harlem. Her mother is of natural African descent, but her father is American and she was born in the States. Therefore, Storm is African-American, first and foremost. And she grew up in Cairo, Egypt. So these facts alone show that she could be really any complexion as Egyptians (which coincidentally is partly my own personal heritage) come in all shades of color including the fairer complexions. Also, even if her mother was dark-skinned, her father could've been any shade as he came from the cultural melting pot that is America.

This is why Storm is shown in a variety of complexions throughout the decades.

For a moment, FOX had it "right" with Storm in the first X-Men film. But after that, the make-up and costuming department seemed to go out of their way to Americanize Storm's appearance--she dropped the accent, and her hair was either blond or streaked and Halle's facial make-up was lightened as well. At least with Alexandra, there seems to be a concerted effort to bring the character back to its roots.

This is FOX. We should be glad they didn't cast a white actress to play Storm this time around--they're really into that these days. *coughJessicaAlbaSueStormMichaelBJordanHumanTorcahcough*

I'm glad you're happy with Shipp. Seems most are. As for me, I would prefer to see a Storm with darker skin. Someone less eurocentric like Lupita Nyong'o, Naomie Harris or Shanola Hampton.

I think it's time for a different shade to be represented. At least darker actresses are finding work on television. Film? Forget it.

 

[Malik]

Well lupita is in the next star wars film.

















































































































Under heavy lairs of cgi.

 

[Mad Ones]

I'm glad you're happy with Shipp. Seems most are. As for me, I would prefer to see a Storm with darker skin. Someone less eurocentric like Lupita Nyong'o, Naomie Harris or Shanola Hampton.

I think it's time for a different shade to be represented. At least darker actresses are finding work on television. Film? Forget it.

Most people were not very happy with Shipp's casting, initially. But yes, these images are doing a lot to sell people on her.

I think you and and Lightning both have interesting perspectives. There is a terrible bias in Hollywood against casting darker skinned actresses, and many have spoken out about it to draw attention to the issue. The casting of Storm was an opportunity to work against Hollywood's built-in discrimination. However, race exists on a spectrum and Shipp is positioned in ways that do make her believable as Storm and appropriately cast, for reasons Lightning has pointed out.

Storm has been cast and there's no changing it now. And judging by the pictures, the filmmakers are really pulling through this time.

 

[Malik]

Also how are they making alex look so tall? She's shorter than halle and looks six feet. Oscars 5 '9' so he isnt exactly tiny.

 

[Superhero 101]

I think it's the angle

 

[Mars123]

As a massive storm fan. I am please with shipps casting. She look fantastic and I think she can even pass for a young Halle.... (But that's not too important) can't wait to see her power displays

 

[RLAAMJR.]

OMG, why are you guys so talkative. We're now on part 2 and none of the character thread has even reached part 1 yet. Great job guys.


Shipp may have a lighter complexion but she's still an african-american.

 

[RLAAMJR.]

I really love this Storm costume,

I hope this costume will be used in the next xmen movie.

 

[KidxMikexMcfly]

I'm glad you're happy with Shipp. Seems most are. As for me, I would prefer to see a Storm with darker skin. Someone less eurocentric like Lupita Nyong'o, Naomie Harris or Shanola Hampton.

I think it's time for a different shade to be represented. At least darker actresses are finding work on television. Film? Forget it.

For that to happen the franchise would have to be rebooted. After all she has to resemble Halle Berry's depiction of Storm. Other wise it would be distracting to the audience considering Shipp is starring as a teenage version of Storm.

 

[KidxMikexMcfly]

I really love this Storm costume,

I hope this costume will be used in the next xmen movie.

I'm shocked they didn't add gold to her costume instead of the silver look

 

[SuperT]

Well lupita is in the next star wars film.

Under heavy lairs of cgi.

I've never sighed as hard as I did when I found this out. You cast one of the biggest up and coming African-American actresses in one of the most popular franchises in the world and you cover her up in CGI.

Even when they do cast minority women in roles they can't even be minority characters. Look at Zoe Saldana in GoTG.

 

[Malik]

I've never sighed as hard as I did when I found this out. You cast one of the biggest up and coming African-American actresses in one of the most popular franchises in the world and you cover her up in CGI.

Even when they do cast minority women in roles they can't even be minority characters. Look at Zoe Saldana in GoTG.

Gurr, they made lupita into a green aunt jemima.

 

[Lightning Strykez!]

 

[psylockolussus]

Maybe one day Lupita could play Cecilia Reyes or Frenzy or Warbird.

 

[RLAAMJR.]

I'm shocked they didn't add gold to her costume instead of the silver look

Maybe on the next xmen movie or Storm movie.

 

[RLAAMJR.]

I want to see an image of Alexandra not looking fierce because that's what we all saw from her, for being a villain.

 

[CB Fan]

I've never sighed as hard as I did when I found this out. You cast one of the biggest up and coming African-American actresses in one of the most popular franchises in the world and you cover her up in CGI.

Even when they do cast minority women in roles they can't even be minority characters. Look at Zoe Saldana in GoTG.

Zoe at least looks like herself in GoTG and Avatar but Luputia's character will look nothing like her.

As for Shipp she looks more like Storm in X2 than Storm in X1. Like it's been said they cast someone who could pass for Berry and like it or not that was the smart choice especially if rumors of Halle appearing are true.

 

[The Guard]

Why does it matter whether Lupitas character looks like Lupita, exactly?

 

[Lightning Strykez!]

Zoe at least looks like herself in GoTG and Avatar but Luputia's character will look nothing like her.

As for Shipp she looks more like Storm in X2 than Storm in X1. Like it's been said they cast someone who could pass for Berry and like it or not that was the smart choice especially if rumors of Halle appearing are true.

What "rumors"?

 

[GuestStar2004]

Rumor that Halle,jackman and Tatum had cameos in this film

 

[Mad Ones]

Why does it matter whether Lupitas character looks like Lupita, exactly?

Because someone who looks like Lupita has never been in a Star Wars movie.

 

[The Guard]

I fail to see why that matters. They cast her to be a particular character, not just herself.