Racism looms over 'Hunger Games' sequel casting

[soleiltropiques]

(From Yahoo.ca)

Racism looms over 'Hunger Games' sequel casting

Who knew that race would become such a contentious issue for the movie adaptations of Suzanne Collins' "Hunger Games" trilogy?

While Collins' novels and first film in the series were, of course, not without controversy -- they do centre on a society that battles children to the death for

Comments

[bleed_peroxide]

This is one thing I hate about the fandom and why I just enjoy the books/movies "alone".

You have one half of the fandom that actually seems to have read the fucking books, and supported the choice to cast POC actors for - gee whiz - POC characters. They were the same ones that spoke their dissent when JL was cast as Katniss, who - despite being a likeable person and doing very well in the role - was not the proper choice for the character.

Then you have the fans that are all RUE ISN'T BLACK HER DEATH ISN'T TRAGIC NOW and were mysteriously quiet when JL was cast.

I think it's a matter of which part of the fandom you're exposed to. I've only ever seen the side of fandom on LiveJournal and Tumblr, most of whom are also socially aware and (in my opinion) aren't assholes. I think the racist idiots part of the fandom are just on more vocal platforms like Facebook and Twitter, which I'm not that involved in.

[imnotasquirrel]

For me the issue is more that POC weren't even given a CHANCE to audition for Katniss. I don't think that Katniss is explicitly POC (I picture her as POC myself, but she's left racially ambiguous), but she wasn't explicitly white either. So why did the casting call only ask for white actresses? (Rhetorical question, because we know why.)

One can't say that Jennifer Lawrence was the best actor for the role or that the role was cast based on talent when entire groups of people were excluded from auditioning in the first place.

IA

[jazzypom]

The writer's viewpoints didn't really fill me with glee, either. I'll be interested to see the casting for the second movie, this is real talk.

[floranna]

When I looked this picture I thought that he only needs green contacts and then he is perfect.

ANd those people make me even more ashamed to be white.

[mahasin]

I'm pretty sure his eyes are actually green.

[floranna]

I think it's more of a pale blue, with a bit of grey in them.

[chaya]

"its not that i dont like jesse because he is colored"

OH OKAY THEN

[eyetosky]

I KNOW, Seriously! "colored"? Who even uses that phrasing anymore aside from historical discussions about water fountains??

[nyychick23513]

My grandma. :(

[simplefaith08]

RIGHT?! Let's use the term "colored" to convince people I'm not racist! IT'S FOOLPROOF.

[poetic_pixie_13]

"Why does rue have to be black. Not gonna lie, kinda ruined the movie," read one comment.
"Awkward moment when Rue is some black girl and not the innocent blonde girl you picture," read another.
And another: "Call me racist but when i found out rue was black her death wasn't as sad #ihatemyself"

Why do does the fanbase have to be so fucking racist. It kind of kinda ruins my day.

Honestly, the reactions to Rue's casting makes me want to punch people. Repeatedly. In the face. Because, fuck you. The idea that Amandla Stenberg, this sweet little girl, couldn't represent the innocence of Rue's character is just, argh. Black kids apparently are born bad. (Trayvon Martin and Emmett Till and CeCe McDonald would like a word with you.)

I always pictured tonnes of characters, including Katniss, as being poc, so fuck you're 'but it doesn't match how I imagined them!' bullshit.

I'm happy this post reminded me that Jesse Williams exists, because, oh, hai. I'mma focus on that cause I've had enough white bullshit for this week/month/life.

[floranna]

I watched the movie before I read the books, but as I knew from the beginning that only Peeta and Katniss would survive, I wasn't shocked that she died. But it still hurt me badly.

I just don't get this people. Her actress was just so perfect. I just wanted to hold her, hug her, brush her hair and she gave me all of my protective big sister feelings on full force.

I just don't get these people.

[thelilyqueen]

Same. Amandla was fecking adorable, and the only thing I'd be wary of with her appearing in CF and/or MJ is that it'd have to be in a dream or hallucination sequence, and those can be risky in terms of tone, IMHO. Too unreal and they're cartoony, too real and the audience feels a certain betrayal when they realize it was a dream/hallucination.

[despatch_boxing]

Fuck'em. Rue was the most adorable kid I've seen in a movie, I think ever. THE MOST. How blinkered did these idiots have to be?

[spyral_path]

I thought there was controversy over the casting of Jennifer Lawrence. The actress even commented on it herself, basically dismissing it by saying that she didn't understand the fuss since hair could be dyed.

[chibi_lurrel]

yeah, Suzanne Collins actually got asked about it and basically tried to handwave whether she meant for the Seam to be biracial or not.

So maybe there's not as much controversy from white people?

[imnotasquirrel]

Ugh, I hated Suzanne Collins' response. What a wishy-washy sell-out.

Made me respect the creators for A:TLA that much more.

[4o5pastmidnight]

Made me respect the creators for A:TLA that much more.

And hate M. Night Shayamalan for fucking shitting on it, right?