Race changes in fiction that werent all that surprising
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posted08/06/2014 05:08 PM (UTC)by
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DG1OA
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06/15/2011 08:07 PM (UTC)
Some characters' race have been changed. Sometimes, it's a gutsy, daring move that deals a blow to stereotypes, there are others, however, who weren't all that surprising, and still enforced stereotypes.

The two examples I have in mind are both Marvel characters: Nick Fury, and Johnny Storm in the upcoming Fantastic Four movie. A black Nick Fury is just another black authority figure, and Johnny Storm? Another black comic relief. And of course, lily white Sue Storm remains just that, since we couldn't have the white genius, Reed Richards, married to a black woman now, could we? Nor could the genius have been any race other than white. Asian perhaps, but not in a mainstream movie, and certainly not as the leader of a team.

Come to think of it, making Ben Grimm (the Thing) black wouldn't have been all that shocking, either (big strong black man). Surprised they haven't done it, but two black guys on a mainstream superhero team like the FF probably would have been too risky for Hollywood, especially when those two characters are traditionally depicted as white.

I know I seem obsessed with race, but well, there are things we're all passionate about.
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UlcaTron
08/03/2014 02:48 PM (UTC)
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DG1OA Wrote:
Come to think of it, making Ben Grimm (the Thing) black wouldn't have been all that shocking, either (big strong black man). Surprised they haven't done it, but two black guys on a mainstream superhero team like the FF probably would have been too risky for Hollywood, especially when those two characters are traditionally depicted as white.


I don't think it's risky whatsoever. Reed Richards I've always imagined a white guy, but I can see a lot of other characters having different depictions as far as race goes.
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FerraTorr
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Props to MINION for making this sig.

08/03/2014 11:19 PM (UTC)
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Chrome
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08/04/2014 03:14 PM (UTC)
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Fabiorg.
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UlcaTron
08/04/2014 06:00 PM (UTC)
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Chrome Wrote:
Fabiorg.


What does this even mean?
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Chrome
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08/04/2014 06:43 PM (UTC)
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UlcaTron Wrote:
Chrome Wrote:
Fabiorg.


What does this even mean?


Right, a decade younger I see.


Fabio Cyborg.
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raidenthefridge
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Thanks to MINION for taking my Siginity!

08/04/2014 07:06 PM (UTC)
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I laughed harder at white Cyborg than I did anyone else.
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RazorsEdge701
08/04/2014 07:12 PM (UTC)
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Chrome Wrote:
UlcaTron Wrote:
Chrome Wrote:
Fabiorg.


What does this even mean?


Right, a decade younger I see.


Fabio Cyborg.


Would've been less of a non-sequitur if he had long hair.
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UlcaTron
08/04/2014 07:27 PM (UTC)
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Chrome Wrote:
UlcaTron Wrote:
Chrome Wrote:
Fabiorg.


What does this even mean?


Right, a decade younger I see.


Fabio Cyborg.


Thank you, my twenty year-old self was confused.
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Jaded-Raven
08/05/2014 12:42 AM (UTC)
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Wait wait wait... Is Johnny Storm played by a black guy in the new Fantastic Four movie?! How does that make sense? Johnny and Susan are siblings!
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DG1OA
08/05/2014 03:11 PM (UTC)
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Jaded-Raven Wrote:
Wait wait wait... Is Johnny Storm played by a black guy in the new Fantastic Four movie?! How does that make sense? Johnny and Susan are siblings!


The popular "rational" explanation is that one of them could have been adopted. But it's actually possible for siblings to be of different races. Particularly if their parents are an interracial couple.

I read that the actor playing Johnny in the new FF movie acted as if it's revolutionary and progressive for a black guy to play that character, and that Johnny being designed as white way back in the sixties was racist. If true, I'm amused. He's only gonna play another black comic relief character. Hollywood found the perfect white character for a black actor to play, and that's pretty much the goofball, who'll likely be portrayed as the most incompetent and insignificant member of the group.

Yep, making either Sue or Reed, or both, black, would have been a much gutsier move.
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Chrome
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08/05/2014 07:56 PM (UTC)
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Jaded-Raven Wrote:
Wait wait wait... Is Johnny Storm played by a black guy in the new Fantastic Four movie?! How does that make sense? Johnny and Susan are siblings!


Mixed skin siblings do happen.

Be thankful it is not the Marvel Manga version.
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ShingoEX
08/06/2014 05:08 PM (UTC)
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I'm half-expecting a Jem and the Holograms reboot with an all-male cast. Oh, and one of them is gay and in a wheelchair.
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