It Don’t Matter If You’re Black Or White
Colourblind casting is acceptable, except for when it’s whitewashing apparently. One recent casting announcement that surprised was that of red-headed Danish story subject Aerial being played by an R&B singer in The Little Mermaid.
Halle Bailey of Chloe x Halle has been set to play the lead in the live-action adaptation of the 1989 Disney animated classic.
Director Rob Marshall has spent months in casting, but it is reported Bailey was always the frontrunner. Jacob Tremblay and a lady who has chosen to name herself after bottled mineral water, Awkwafina, will join her.
Melissa McCarthy is in talks to play villain Ursula, because of course the villain who steals a black girl’s voice will be a whitey.
The film will re-use songs from the original Disney movies as we all new tunes from professional musical pest Lin-Manuel Miranda (Hamilton, Mary Poppins Returns).
Tetsuo! Kaneda!
Meanwhile, if whitey thought he was going to catch a break New Tokyo then he needs to check his damn privilege.
Warner Bros. Pictures has a casting call out for Taika Waititi’s upcoming live-action film adaptation of the classic manga/anime Akira.
The list seems to confirm Waititi is seeking out Japanese and Asian actors. This is an about turn from previous stalled attempts that courted Leonardo DiCaprio, Garret Hedlund and Gary Oldman to star.
Probably running scared from a Ghost in the Shell backlash, they are seeking eight parts. The names are coded but it’s clear who the roles are.
For “Jun” (really Kaneda) they’re after a Male, 18-24 Male, to play Japanese, English speaking. Must be legal 18-20’s to play 18. He’s described as “sharp-eyed, sinewy, tough, handsome, cool. He is the leader of a street gang of teenagers & knows how to have a good time. JUN should not be too cool or too tough. He’s a scrappy, ragtag kid who’s not worried about anything. Your weird, natural authentic self is encouraged.”
For “Koichi” (really Tetsuo): Male, 18-24 Male, to play Japanese, English speaking. Must be legal 18-20s to play 17. He is “constantly forced to punch up in order to survive. He’s fearless to the point of recklessness. He is haunted by the loss of a loved one.”
For “Misa” (really Kei): Female, 18-30 Female, to play Japanese, English speaking. Must be legal 18-30. She is described as “beautiful, intelligent, strong-willed. She is a member of an anti-government organization trying to save her city.”
For “Reina” (likely Kaori): Female, 18-24 Female, to play Asian, English speaking (Japanese a plus). Must be legal 18-20s to play 17. She is “gentle, kind, cute, compassionate. She is a member of a biker gang & cares deeply for Koichi.”
“Yakamatsu” (likely Yamagata): Male, 18-24 Male, to play Asian, English speaking (Japanese a plus). Must be legal 18-20s to play 18. He is said to be “Large, tough, loyal, short-fused. A member of Jun’s gang & a close friend.”
“Yuki” (likely Kaisuke): Male, 18-24 Male, to play Asian, English speaking (Japanese a plus). Must be legal 18-20s to play 16. He’s “a small, clever, brainy technical wiz, he is the youngest member of Jun’s street gang.”
“Gen” (likely Takashi or Masaru): Male, 10-12 Male, to play Asian, English speaking (Japanese a plus), age 10. Described as “a small, mysterious boy on an urgent mission; he is humble, shy, compassionate & wise beyond his years”.
“Aimi” (likely Kiyoko): Female, 10-12 Female, to play Asian, English speaking (Japanese a plus), age 10. She’s “a mysterious girl on an urgent mission; she is kind, gentle, compassionate & wise beyond her years.”
There are no dates in the casting call. However, production is expected to start this winter.
