‘Bullet Train’ Director, Writer and ‘Maria Beetle’ Author Explain Choice to Cast Non-Japanese Actors
‘Bullet Train’ Director, Writer and ‘Maria Beetle’ Author Explain Choice to Cast Non-Japanese Actors: The Characters Are “Not Real People” https://t.co/QPPSlLXImZ
- The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) July 28, 2022
- Bullet Train is an adaptation of a Japanese novel that has been criticized for having a largely non-Japanese cast. For example Brad Pitt’s corresponding character in the book is called Nanao and Joey King’s is Satoshi.
- Original author Kōtarō Isaka says the characters are “ethnically malleable” and maybe not even Japanese.
- Screenwriter Zak Olkewicz says this is a story that “transcend[s] race”.
- David Inoue, executive director of the Japanese American Citizens League, says the film is guilty of whitewashing. “This movie seeks to affirm the belief that Asian actors in the leading roles cannot carry a blockbuster, despite all the recent evidence indicating otherwise, beginning with Crazy Rich Asians and extending to Shang Chi.”