A Reasoned Responce to the Last Airbender Casting
Ever since the first announcement of the Avatar movie casting, the fan community has been split between people who either love it or don't care and people who found the whole thing disappointing. Those of us who didn't like the casting or thought the casting was inappropriate and disrespectful to the source were hit with comments about how it was just a movie or we were somehow racist because we thought that since the world takes place in an Asian fantasy world, they should have cast Asians and Native Americans. There were also arguments about how Aang looks white because of his light skin and big eyes.
Well, as one of those people who thinks the casting and the convenient retooling of the Avatar world so the white main heroes can bravely fight the evil and corrupt dark skinned villains is a load of bull, I thought I'd jot down my thoughts which I think can speak for why a lot of us are disappointed with the production information thus far.
First off, here's two letters sent to the production heads by two of the most high profile Asian American media and actors groups on the subject. This shows that the anger isn't just a bunch of cannon fanatics, but born out of a real issue which affects thousands of real people who are trying to earn a living as actors:
MANAA http://www.manaa.org/lastairbender.html
(Media Action Network for Asian Americans)
EWP http://www.jedifreac.com/art/avatarchibiicons/EWPletter.pdf
(East West Players)
These two letters - particularly the one from the East West Players (an organization of which Mako was it's founding artistic director) - highlights many of the reasons why a number of people are objecting to the casting as it currently stands:
1.Lack of Roles to Asians and Native Americans
“The Asian American community, and the movie-going public at large, is used to seeing Asian men depicted as villains and rarely get the opportunity to see Asian heroes they can get behind and cheer for. This is also an historic opportunity to give Asian American actors a chance to shine in a big-budget film franchise which would bolster their careers for future projects. You will get deserved credit for launching those careers and can break down barriers by understanding that the audience that loved the television series is ready (and expects) to see Asian Americans playing those characters on the big screen.”
Guy Aoki
Founding President, MANAA
Look at popular movies and TV shows. I bet you can count on one hand the number of films that were made in the US that had cast Asians as the leads in the last ten years. Not Jackie Chan/Owen Wilson co star (not to mention Jackie Chan is on his own level), not an ensemble cast , but an actual leading part. Aside from Harold and Kumar and Memoirs of a Geisha I can't really think of one. Think of the last leading role for a Native American. Aside from the rare period piece like Geronimo, I don't think there has been a leading role for a Native American.
Groups like the East West Players and MANAA were both looking forward to an Avatar movie to be a rare instance where young Asian actors could be allowed to star and get an unprecedented launching pad that's usually reserved for white actors.
Including MANAA and the East West Players, there are 18 groups such as the the National Asian Pacific American Legal Consortium, the Organization of Chinese Americans and the newly-formed Asian American Coalition for Total Inclusion On the Networks (AACTION), that have joined to form the ad hoc Asian Pacific American Media Coalition that work with the NAACP, the National Latino Media Coalition (an umbrella organization representing ten Hispanic/Latino groups) and American Indians in Film and Television (AIF&T) to try and increasing diversity in film and television.
Mokoto “Mako” Iwamatsu was a tireless advocate for Asian Pacific American actors and a founding member of the East West Players. He lived through times where there was rampant yellow face and fought to preserve the dignity of minorities on film and stage. I can't help but think he'd be disappointed to see an amazing chance for young Asian Americans taken away and with the way this film - which is based on a franchise that he helped to popularize - is being developed.
http://us_asians.tripod.com/articles-eastwest.html
American Indians in Film and Television
http://www.nativevue.org/blog/?p=484
American Indians Struggle to Find Parts in Hollywood!
http://nativeunity.blogspot.com/2007/03/american-indians-struggle-to-find.html
2.Yellow Face
Everyone here knows about black face, I'm sure. Yellow face is the same concept but applied to Asians. Old Charlie Chan movies, Mickey Rooney's horrid Mr. Yunioshi in Breakfast at Tiffany's and Christopher Lee in The Blood of Fu Manchu are all examples of it. Having Asian roles, but making up white actors to play them. Mr. Jackson Rathbone's comment about just having to get a tan and shaving his head to play a Inuit character is not all that different from a white man putting on black makeup to play a black minstrel character.
Black actors got their rights respected. Asians and Native Americans are still the people who are seen as easily replaceable in this respect.
3.Institutional Racism
“Asian-American actors have never been treated as full-time actors. We're always hired as part-timers. That is, (producers) call us when they need us (for only race-specific roles). If a part was seen as too "demanding," that part often went to a non-Asian.“
Mokoto “Mako” Iwamatsu
Wayman Wong
“Actors remember Pacific Overtures”
The Sondheim Review Vol 4, No 4, Spring 1998
Personally, I don't think there was overt racism in casting; however, I do think that it is an obvious case of institutional racism.
What is institutional racism? Well, it's the thing that lets studios get away with changing minority roles to white ones. It's what lets studios get away with saying white people won't be able to relate to Asians, therefore they change the role to white. It's what causes people, studio and audience alike to automatically make “white” the “default” race. Institutional racism is what makes the character description for the white character “Tall, dark haired, dresses in jeans” while the minority character is described as “tall, black/Asian/Native American, dresses in jeans.”
It's not right, but people swallow it. They say that it's just the way Hollywood works. Well, until a decade or two ago, not casting black people in leading roles was the way Hollywood worked. Now days casting a black person is no problem. Will Smith is a huge box office draw and Tyler Perry's movies are hits. Asians and Native Americans? Despite the success of films like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and Hero, we still accept that old tired excuse.
The institution changes when movie goers make it change. Avatar should have been the launching pad for young Asian and Native American actors to finally break through that wall, but Paramount decided to fall back on the old way of doing things and rather than giving Asian and Native actors a chance, they decided to make sweeping changes to the essence of the world and cast white actors. I don't want to tell a little Asian American kid that they'll never be able to star in a movie because of their race, but this setback makes it hard to be able to say that.
4.Fundamental Changes The World Setting
“Eric had indicated they were looking for a “legends and lore show,” so we thought, what if this was set in an Asian mystical world? A legend based on the past, but an alternate past.”
Mike DiMartino
Not Just Cartoons: Nicktoons!
Avatar is based in Asian mystical world. Most of the reference was taken from Chinese, Japanese and Korean elements. The philosophy, clothing, writing and fighting style for the most part, all east Asian with the Inuit in there as well. Rather then multi-ethnic, a better way to describe the world would be pan-Asian. With just a little observation you can pick out the saffron robes and pacifist beliefs of the Tibetan Buddhist priests in the Air Kingdom. Sokka's war paint is based on the markings of the Orca, an important part of the Inuit world. The designs of Imperial China are evident in the those of the Fire Kingdom and their military philosophy. And when Toph actually dresses like the girl she is, it's in the Korean hanbok.
So why change the fundamentals of the world? Why take the entirety of the world and stuff it into the Earth Kingdom as “Asian” rather then leave it as is in the cartoon? Why change the whole dichotomy of the world to make two entire groups of people white? I mean really, making the Water Tribe based on Nordic cultures rather then the Inuit? Why start to change it into something totally not resembling the source material? I don't know about you, but the only reason I can think of is that they wanted to accommodate their selected white actors.
The changing of the races of the Nations brings in another, more disturbing subtext which, while it was probably unintentional, needs to be addressed. The two “hero” kingdoms? Air and Water? Now they're white. The “villain” kingdom? Now they're Indian/Persian. The Earth kingdom, with it's morally ambiguous government which suppresses dissent? Asia. Think about that: Good = White and Bad = Not-white.
There have been various reasons given as to why we should simply except the casting decisoisn as they stand. Here are my arguments against them.
1.They Don't Look Asian
“In terms of our design, a lot of people associate anime, or Japanese animation, with really big eyes and huge hair - and that certainly makes up a large portion of anime - but when you get down and study the style, it's generally based on real - life observation and streamlining reality.”
Bryan Konietzko
Not Just Cartoons: Nicktoons!
Personally, this quote from Bryan says it all, but lets break this argument down shall we? What are the main arguments here? They're the typical ones that anime/manga fans hear all the time. Large eyes and light skin.
Large eyes in the anime style reflect youthfulness and innocence. Anyone who's seen an anime like Inu Yasha or Macross or any other anime/manga stated to be set in Japan knows this. When series like Astro Boy were done, large eyes were an easy way to make expression easier for animators. It was seen in American and European cartoons as well. If you think that large eyes mean Aang is white, how about looking at every other Air Nomad shown in the show? All the children have large eyes and all the adults have narrower or more realistic Asian features. Even Gyatso when seen as a younger man in the episode The Avatar and the Firelord has wider eyes then when he's shown as an old man. This is a trait through the entirety of the Avatar world. Younger characters have wider eyes, older characters have ones we would more traditional associate with Asians.
Light skin tone is another component to the white Aang argument. Now, personally I've known some light skinned Asian Americans and some dark skinned Asian Americans who both had family back in China. Just like caucasians, there is a wide range of skin tones among Asians. Heck, some are whiter then me. An authentic Asian skin tone does not have to be a stereotypically yellow one. These aren't WWII propaganda cartoons.
2.Casting For Talent Not Race
“Based on the language of the casting call - seeking "Caucasian or any other ethnicity" - rather than
the more neutral and expansive "submit all ethnicities" - it appears the producers had
a bias toward casting whites for the leads. And a golden opportunity was lost to cast
ethnically Asian actors to play the lead roles in this Asian-inspired story.”
Tim Dang
Producing Artistic Director
One of the things I see most often is the statement “They should be casting for acting talent not race' or 'I don't care so long as they can act.' Why is that? Why shouldn't casting directors demand both? Why can't fans demand both?
Why do I say that? Because to agree with that statement is to let bad casting directors off the hook. In a world where major movie studios can cast for English speaking actors in not only the US, but in Canada, the UK, New Zealand or Australia, there is no reasonable argument they can make about not being able to find four actors of the correct or nearly correct ethnicities to make an accurate movie portrayal of the Avatar world. Not only could they have worked with the numerous Asian/Native American actors groups that traditionally work not only with TV and film companies, but also a number of stage actors groups. I've seen numerous movies where they had no trouble finding minority actors who did wonderful jobs in their roles. They weren't cast as the main lean because of course, the main lead is always...white.
So am I saying they should have casted for race? Yes in the fact that they should have been casting for character. And the characters they were casting for where not white in the source material.
Think about the following scenario: A movie is going to be made about an alternate history of the United States where the Colonists didn't win the Revolutionary War. The colonies are still firmly under the boot of King George and the Founding Fathers are gearing up for a second go with mystic artifacts which were smuggled in by the Freemasons. That makes this a fantasy world, right? Now, the studio has announced the following cast list:
Ben Franklin: James Earl Jones
Thomas Jefferson: Will Smith
George Washington: Jet Li
Now, no one would argue that these actors aren't extremely talented. However, just because they are talented doesn't mean that they are the best actors for the job.
Also, to say that the three actors currently cast as Aang, Katara and Sokka are the best actors for the job is a stretch. To say that these three actors are so insanely talented that they were heads above all Asian/Native actors? I just find that to be a bit of a stretch.
3.Its A Fantasy World
Yes. Avatar is a fantasy world. Like Narnia or Middle Earth it is a place that does not exist on Earth. There are creatures and abilities that would never exist here so of course there is a suspension of disbelief when we watch it.
However unlike Narnia or Middle Earth, the world of Avatar is not Euro-centric. It is not western inspired or influenced. It has been stated repeatedly by both creators that the world and everything in it is inspired by their love and respect for Asian culture. It's a terrible message to send to those of Asian and Native American heritage that their culture is good enough for a movie, but they are not?
So just like you wouldn't have cast a black man as Frodo or a Asian for Gandalf, I don't think it makes sense to cast a white person as Sokka or Aang. I don't see how people can see white people as interchangeable or a good replacement for any other race. It's not like we're somehow a neutral race.
4.Not Enough Asian/Native Actors
“The fact that Dev Patel apparently has been cast in one of the four lead roles is a positive step but it certainly does not excuse the filmmakers from being insensitive to the negative ethnic and cultural implications of using whites to either "look like" ethnic peoples or to inexplicably lead such peoples as if they are white saviors.”
Tim Dang
Producing Artistic Director
As mentioned before, there are a number of organizations who are in the business of helping Asian and Native American actors promote themselves. The East West Players are one of the largest, but are by no means the only one. Major Hollywood studios never seem to have problems finding Asian and Native American actors for secondary or background characters, so I find it amazingly convenient that they can't find four to play the main characters.
With the help of Wikipedia, IMDB and Google, I was able to find come up with a few suggestions:
Aang: Brandon Soo Hoo http://us.imdb.com/name/nm1317656/
This was the kid warlord from a little movie Paramount may have heard of - Tropic Thunder. You know, the movie that was a major hit for them last year? Who knows both Karate and is studying Kung Fu, by the way.
Zuko: Osric Chau http://us.imdb.com/name/nm1859543/
John Cho http://us.imdb.com/name/nm0158626/
Sokka: Tyler Posey http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0692677/
Bronson Pelletier http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1563736/
http://imblog.aufeminin.com/blog/D20050712/23401_203254341_jack_sinclair_H214157_L.jpg
Katara: Q'orianka Kilcher http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0452963/
Elena Finney http://www.naotw.biz/native_american_indian/arts/performing/acting/finney_elena
5.Voice actor vs Face actor
For me personally, this is one of the most disingenuous arguments that people bring up, 'Well they cast white voice actors so what's the big problem?' Well, for one for voice acting they are looking for a certain voice. The viewers will associate that voice with the character, not the face. Second, the Avatar voice casting was unusually inclusive for Asian American actors getting many of them for the East West Players (not just Zuko and Iroh). Thirdly, what sounds Asian? Are people making this argument saying that all the characters need to be immigrated actors with a distinct accent? What about actors like Donnie Brasco who grew up in America and doesn't have an accent? Does he not sound Asian?
So that's it. Those are my arguments about every excuse for this film that I've heard. I don't think it's fair, I don't think it respects the source material and I won't be supporting it. I do hope however, more people can see why. In the end, you make the choice to see this movie. You decide if supporting a move because you like the original cartoon outweighs the fact that the movie gets farther and farther away from it. You decide if you want to let Hollywood continue to sideline Asian and Native actors to favor white actors.
Well, as one of those people who thinks the casting and the convenient retooling of the Avatar world so the white main heroes can bravely fight the evil and corrupt dark skinned villains is a load of bull, I thought I'd jot down my thoughts which I think can speak for why a lot of us are disappointed with the production information thus far.
First off, here's two letters sent to the production heads by two of the most high profile Asian American media and actors groups on the subject. This shows that the anger isn't just a bunch of cannon fanatics, but born out of a real issue which affects thousands of real people who are trying to earn a living as actors:
MANAA http://www.manaa.org/lastairbender.html
(Media Action Network for Asian Americans)
EWP http://www.jedifreac.com/art/avatarchibiicons/EWPletter.pdf
(East West Players)
These two letters - particularly the one from the East West Players (an organization of which Mako was it's founding artistic director) - highlights many of the reasons why a number of people are objecting to the casting as it currently stands:
1.Lack of Roles to Asians and Native Americans
“The Asian American community, and the movie-going public at large, is used to seeing Asian men depicted as villains and rarely get the opportunity to see Asian heroes they can get behind and cheer for. This is also an historic opportunity to give Asian American actors a chance to shine in a big-budget film franchise which would bolster their careers for future projects. You will get deserved credit for launching those careers and can break down barriers by understanding that the audience that loved the television series is ready (and expects) to see Asian Americans playing those characters on the big screen.”
Guy Aoki
Founding President, MANAA
Look at popular movies and TV shows. I bet you can count on one hand the number of films that were made in the US that had cast Asians as the leads in the last ten years. Not Jackie Chan/Owen Wilson co star (not to mention Jackie Chan is on his own level), not an ensemble cast , but an actual leading part. Aside from Harold and Kumar and Memoirs of a Geisha I can't really think of one. Think of the last leading role for a Native American. Aside from the rare period piece like Geronimo, I don't think there has been a leading role for a Native American.
Groups like the East West Players and MANAA were both looking forward to an Avatar movie to be a rare instance where young Asian actors could be allowed to star and get an unprecedented launching pad that's usually reserved for white actors.
Including MANAA and the East West Players, there are 18 groups such as the the National Asian Pacific American Legal Consortium, the Organization of Chinese Americans and the newly-formed Asian American Coalition for Total Inclusion On the Networks (AACTION), that have joined to form the ad hoc Asian Pacific American Media Coalition that work with the NAACP, the National Latino Media Coalition (an umbrella organization representing ten Hispanic/Latino groups) and American Indians in Film and Television (AIF&T) to try and increasing diversity in film and television.
Mokoto “Mako” Iwamatsu was a tireless advocate for Asian Pacific American actors and a founding member of the East West Players. He lived through times where there was rampant yellow face and fought to preserve the dignity of minorities on film and stage. I can't help but think he'd be disappointed to see an amazing chance for young Asian Americans taken away and with the way this film - which is based on a franchise that he helped to popularize - is being developed.
http://us_asians.tripod.com/articles-eastwest.html
American Indians in Film and Television
http://www.nativevue.org/blog/?p=484
American Indians Struggle to Find Parts in Hollywood!
http://nativeunity.blogspot.com/2007/03/american-indians-struggle-to-find.html
2.Yellow Face
Everyone here knows about black face, I'm sure. Yellow face is the same concept but applied to Asians. Old Charlie Chan movies, Mickey Rooney's horrid Mr. Yunioshi in Breakfast at Tiffany's and Christopher Lee in The Blood of Fu Manchu are all examples of it. Having Asian roles, but making up white actors to play them. Mr. Jackson Rathbone's comment about just having to get a tan and shaving his head to play a Inuit character is not all that different from a white man putting on black makeup to play a black minstrel character.
Black actors got their rights respected. Asians and Native Americans are still the people who are seen as easily replaceable in this respect.
3.Institutional Racism
“Asian-American actors have never been treated as full-time actors. We're always hired as part-timers. That is, (producers) call us when they need us (for only race-specific roles). If a part was seen as too "demanding," that part often went to a non-Asian.“
Mokoto “Mako” Iwamatsu
Wayman Wong
“Actors remember Pacific Overtures”
The Sondheim Review Vol 4, No 4, Spring 1998
Personally, I don't think there was overt racism in casting; however, I do think that it is an obvious case of institutional racism.
What is institutional racism? Well, it's the thing that lets studios get away with changing minority roles to white ones. It's what lets studios get away with saying white people won't be able to relate to Asians, therefore they change the role to white. It's what causes people, studio and audience alike to automatically make “white” the “default” race. Institutional racism is what makes the character description for the white character “Tall, dark haired, dresses in jeans” while the minority character is described as “tall, black/Asian/Native American, dresses in jeans.”
It's not right, but people swallow it. They say that it's just the way Hollywood works. Well, until a decade or two ago, not casting black people in leading roles was the way Hollywood worked. Now days casting a black person is no problem. Will Smith is a huge box office draw and Tyler Perry's movies are hits. Asians and Native Americans? Despite the success of films like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and Hero, we still accept that old tired excuse.
The institution changes when movie goers make it change. Avatar should have been the launching pad for young Asian and Native American actors to finally break through that wall, but Paramount decided to fall back on the old way of doing things and rather than giving Asian and Native actors a chance, they decided to make sweeping changes to the essence of the world and cast white actors. I don't want to tell a little Asian American kid that they'll never be able to star in a movie because of their race, but this setback makes it hard to be able to say that.
4.Fundamental Changes The World Setting
“Eric had indicated they were looking for a “legends and lore show,” so we thought, what if this was set in an Asian mystical world? A legend based on the past, but an alternate past.”
Mike DiMartino
Not Just Cartoons: Nicktoons!
Avatar is based in Asian mystical world. Most of the reference was taken from Chinese, Japanese and Korean elements. The philosophy, clothing, writing and fighting style for the most part, all east Asian with the Inuit in there as well. Rather then multi-ethnic, a better way to describe the world would be pan-Asian. With just a little observation you can pick out the saffron robes and pacifist beliefs of the Tibetan Buddhist priests in the Air Kingdom. Sokka's war paint is based on the markings of the Orca, an important part of the Inuit world. The designs of Imperial China are evident in the those of the Fire Kingdom and their military philosophy. And when Toph actually dresses like the girl she is, it's in the Korean hanbok.
So why change the fundamentals of the world? Why take the entirety of the world and stuff it into the Earth Kingdom as “Asian” rather then leave it as is in the cartoon? Why change the whole dichotomy of the world to make two entire groups of people white? I mean really, making the Water Tribe based on Nordic cultures rather then the Inuit? Why start to change it into something totally not resembling the source material? I don't know about you, but the only reason I can think of is that they wanted to accommodate their selected white actors.
The changing of the races of the Nations brings in another, more disturbing subtext which, while it was probably unintentional, needs to be addressed. The two “hero” kingdoms? Air and Water? Now they're white. The “villain” kingdom? Now they're Indian/Persian. The Earth kingdom, with it's morally ambiguous government which suppresses dissent? Asia. Think about that: Good = White and Bad = Not-white.
There have been various reasons given as to why we should simply except the casting decisoisn as they stand. Here are my arguments against them.
1.They Don't Look Asian
“In terms of our design, a lot of people associate anime, or Japanese animation, with really big eyes and huge hair - and that certainly makes up a large portion of anime - but when you get down and study the style, it's generally based on real - life observation and streamlining reality.”
Bryan Konietzko
Not Just Cartoons: Nicktoons!
Personally, this quote from Bryan says it all, but lets break this argument down shall we? What are the main arguments here? They're the typical ones that anime/manga fans hear all the time. Large eyes and light skin.
Large eyes in the anime style reflect youthfulness and innocence. Anyone who's seen an anime like Inu Yasha or Macross or any other anime/manga stated to be set in Japan knows this. When series like Astro Boy were done, large eyes were an easy way to make expression easier for animators. It was seen in American and European cartoons as well. If you think that large eyes mean Aang is white, how about looking at every other Air Nomad shown in the show? All the children have large eyes and all the adults have narrower or more realistic Asian features. Even Gyatso when seen as a younger man in the episode The Avatar and the Firelord has wider eyes then when he's shown as an old man. This is a trait through the entirety of the Avatar world. Younger characters have wider eyes, older characters have ones we would more traditional associate with Asians.
Light skin tone is another component to the white Aang argument. Now, personally I've known some light skinned Asian Americans and some dark skinned Asian Americans who both had family back in China. Just like caucasians, there is a wide range of skin tones among Asians. Heck, some are whiter then me. An authentic Asian skin tone does not have to be a stereotypically yellow one. These aren't WWII propaganda cartoons.
2.Casting For Talent Not Race
“Based on the language of the casting call - seeking "Caucasian or any other ethnicity" - rather than
the more neutral and expansive "submit all ethnicities" - it appears the producers had
a bias toward casting whites for the leads. And a golden opportunity was lost to cast
ethnically Asian actors to play the lead roles in this Asian-inspired story.”
Tim Dang
Producing Artistic Director
One of the things I see most often is the statement “They should be casting for acting talent not race' or 'I don't care so long as they can act.' Why is that? Why shouldn't casting directors demand both? Why can't fans demand both?
Why do I say that? Because to agree with that statement is to let bad casting directors off the hook. In a world where major movie studios can cast for English speaking actors in not only the US, but in Canada, the UK, New Zealand or Australia, there is no reasonable argument they can make about not being able to find four actors of the correct or nearly correct ethnicities to make an accurate movie portrayal of the Avatar world. Not only could they have worked with the numerous Asian/Native American actors groups that traditionally work not only with TV and film companies, but also a number of stage actors groups. I've seen numerous movies where they had no trouble finding minority actors who did wonderful jobs in their roles. They weren't cast as the main lean because of course, the main lead is always...white.
So am I saying they should have casted for race? Yes in the fact that they should have been casting for character. And the characters they were casting for where not white in the source material.
Think about the following scenario: A movie is going to be made about an alternate history of the United States where the Colonists didn't win the Revolutionary War. The colonies are still firmly under the boot of King George and the Founding Fathers are gearing up for a second go with mystic artifacts which were smuggled in by the Freemasons. That makes this a fantasy world, right? Now, the studio has announced the following cast list:
Ben Franklin: James Earl Jones
Thomas Jefferson: Will Smith
George Washington: Jet Li
Now, no one would argue that these actors aren't extremely talented. However, just because they are talented doesn't mean that they are the best actors for the job.
Also, to say that the three actors currently cast as Aang, Katara and Sokka are the best actors for the job is a stretch. To say that these three actors are so insanely talented that they were heads above all Asian/Native actors? I just find that to be a bit of a stretch.
3.Its A Fantasy World
Yes. Avatar is a fantasy world. Like Narnia or Middle Earth it is a place that does not exist on Earth. There are creatures and abilities that would never exist here so of course there is a suspension of disbelief when we watch it.
However unlike Narnia or Middle Earth, the world of Avatar is not Euro-centric. It is not western inspired or influenced. It has been stated repeatedly by both creators that the world and everything in it is inspired by their love and respect for Asian culture. It's a terrible message to send to those of Asian and Native American heritage that their culture is good enough for a movie, but they are not?
So just like you wouldn't have cast a black man as Frodo or a Asian for Gandalf, I don't think it makes sense to cast a white person as Sokka or Aang. I don't see how people can see white people as interchangeable or a good replacement for any other race. It's not like we're somehow a neutral race.
4.Not Enough Asian/Native Actors
“The fact that Dev Patel apparently has been cast in one of the four lead roles is a positive step but it certainly does not excuse the filmmakers from being insensitive to the negative ethnic and cultural implications of using whites to either "look like" ethnic peoples or to inexplicably lead such peoples as if they are white saviors.”
Tim Dang
Producing Artistic Director
As mentioned before, there are a number of organizations who are in the business of helping Asian and Native American actors promote themselves. The East West Players are one of the largest, but are by no means the only one. Major Hollywood studios never seem to have problems finding Asian and Native American actors for secondary or background characters, so I find it amazingly convenient that they can't find four to play the main characters.
With the help of Wikipedia, IMDB and Google, I was able to find come up with a few suggestions:
Aang: Brandon Soo Hoo http://us.imdb.com/name/nm1317656/
This was the kid warlord from a little movie Paramount may have heard of - Tropic Thunder. You know, the movie that was a major hit for them last year? Who knows both Karate and is studying Kung Fu, by the way.
Zuko: Osric Chau http://us.imdb.com/name/nm1859543/
John Cho http://us.imdb.com/name/nm0158626/
Sokka: Tyler Posey http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0692677/
Bronson Pelletier http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1563736/
http://imblog.aufeminin.com/blog/D20050712/23401_203254341_jack_sinclair_H214157_L.jpg
Katara: Q'orianka Kilcher http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0452963/
Elena Finney http://www.naotw.biz/native_american_indian/arts/performing/acting/finney_elena
5.Voice actor vs Face actor
For me personally, this is one of the most disingenuous arguments that people bring up, 'Well they cast white voice actors so what's the big problem?' Well, for one for voice acting they are looking for a certain voice. The viewers will associate that voice with the character, not the face. Second, the Avatar voice casting was unusually inclusive for Asian American actors getting many of them for the East West Players (not just Zuko and Iroh). Thirdly, what sounds Asian? Are people making this argument saying that all the characters need to be immigrated actors with a distinct accent? What about actors like Donnie Brasco who grew up in America and doesn't have an accent? Does he not sound Asian?
So that's it. Those are my arguments about every excuse for this film that I've heard. I don't think it's fair, I don't think it respects the source material and I won't be supporting it. I do hope however, more people can see why. In the end, you make the choice to see this movie. You decide if supporting a move because you like the original cartoon outweighs the fact that the movie gets farther and farther away from it. You decide if you want to let Hollywood continue to sideline Asian and Native actors to favor white actors.