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People are still upset about the casting of the Hunger Games franchise
By EJ DicksonMay 6th, 2012, 11:00 pmComments (34)
Remember when people were all up in arms about the casting of twelve-year old African-American child actor Amandla Stenberg as Rue in The Hunger Games because the character "wasn't supposed to be" black? Well, it seems that the same adorably incompetent readers/racists are turning out in full force to protest the casting of Grey's Anatomy actor Jesse Williams as Catching Fire/Mockingjay heartthrob Finnick Odair... and Williams hasn't even been given the role yet. But hey, it's never too early to roll out the red carpet for racial hatred, right, internet?
It seems that the controversy started a-brewing when a Hunger Games fan launched a "Jesse For Finnick" campaign on Tumblr and Twitter. Although she/he probably assumed that the photos of a shirtless Williams would spawn the letter-writing campaigns and lady boners of thousands, it seems that a bunch of Hunger Games fans are not so on board with casting a person of color in the role: in addition to referring to Williams as a "disgusting stupid black dude," commentators have also suggested that Williams doesn't have the "disheveled medium long luscious Golden blonde hair [and] ocean blue colored eyes" and, um, Caucasian-ness required for the role (for the record, the character is described as having "tan" or "golden" skin, "bronze-colored" hair, and green eyes):
I'm sorry but unless I read the wrong book, isn't Finnick Caucasian? By tanned skin Collins meant his skin was darkened from the sun (swimming/fishing) not that he is of a darker skin ethnicity... Don't get me wrong, this guy is great just completely wrong for this role.
I think that Jesse Wiliams just won't work. Finnick Odair in my eyes is Tall, young, disheveled medium long luscious Golden blonde hair, ocean blue colored eyes, he has a glowing tan, washboard abs, and wears almost no clothes, at the same times carries a trident. That is the guy i wan't to see as Finnick. For example PERFECT GUY is Ian Somerhalder. Color him blonde and throw in some contacts and wala you have Finnick Odair!
As a fan of both Hunger Games and really, really, really good-looking people, this offends me to no end. Guys, no one is making these movies to exactly match the precious little snowflake images of the stories and characters you've built in your heads. They're being made because they rake in large amounts of money, and that's going to happen whether the producers cast Ian Somerhalder or Jesse Williams or the dog from Frasier in the role.
Also, correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the first and foremost prerequisite of playing Finnick that you're supposed to be... hot? Like, really, really, really hot? If so, I have a very hard time believing that, unless you are a white supremacist and/or my friend's racist dog, you don't agree that the gentleman pictured above fits the bill. His biceps have biceps. Just saying.
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The Hunger Games
Commentarium (34 Comments)
Just saw the Cabin in the Woods, and yes, he is gorgeous. Also, I believe he does have blue eyes (?).
Even though it doesn't sound like this 'decision' is any more than fan speculation, I'd love this. It would really be twisting the knife in the heart of the racist pricks that got all up in arms about textually black Rue and Thresh.
I, for one, could totally see him as Finnick Odair if my first choice, Armie Hammer doesn't get it. Don't even get me started on the internet comments about Jesse Williams. When people start their comments with "Not to be racist..." it is exactly that, you ARE being racist. Just because you decide to preface your sentence with "not being racist". Ugh, anyway, moving on...
That's not even the hottest picture of Jesse Williams...seriously the last episode of Grey's with him and Kepner in the bathroom...I'm getting hot just thinking about it. The dude is a sample of the perfection of the human race.
So what if Finnick isnt black and is white when the producers and the casting people work out who is going to play Finnick the public will just have to put up with it, if you really have a problem with the person/people in this movie then dont go and see it. simple as that it really isnt a big deal the books are fantastic anyway. so if you dont like the movie or people in it then go and read the books again and put the people you want in it in it but dont waste everybody elses time pondering over what could have been, become a director and make your own version if you are really angry about it.
I would chew my left arm off just to taste his sweat. He is so beautiful it hurts. Anyone whining that there's something "wrong" with him because he's black can go ahead and fall off the planet now plzkthx. Seriously, my left arm. He is the pinnacle of manly manliness.
I know I'm old for this site (46) but it seems a bit weak to attempt to be a crusader for racial justice on the strength of your ability to appear to be so ultra hip because you use phrases like 'fuck ton'. Hey kids, cool cool people like ej Dickson are letting you know that it's not *cool* to XXX. It's offensive that she assumes she speaks for *young cool intelligent* people everywhere, before the text of her 'story' even is submitted.
I know I'm racist if I don't let black people eat of my flesh, but I don't care. I'm not going to let them.
way to make a point. I have no idea what your point is, but I like it a fuck ton.
"I know I'm racist if I don't let people eat of my flesh, but I don't care. I'm not going to let them."
It's alright, old-timer. Most of us don't like white meat that much, anyway.
It's not your age that's the problem. It's your lack of coherent thought, a problem at any age.
I'm with mrmaven, it's not racist to avoid cannibalism, even if black people are involved! Hear hear!
Err, what?
You mean the guy in the picture above is supposedly black? Not if he lived in Africa.
If you're interested in the Hunger Games you're too young to be racist - get over it.
Too young to be racist? Have you ever read Facebook? Tweens can be shockingly bigoted, especially with the freedom the internet gives them.
What moops said: racism knows no age limit.
I think Niel was trying to say that racism is an outdated mode of thought that young people shouldn't be adhering to (ie, they are too young to have ingrained racist ideals from a mid-century upbringing), not that no young people could ever be racist.
"Color him blonde and throw in some contacts and wala you have Finnick Odair" Isn't that true for...oh I don't know...EVERY actor/actress for any role?
Also, the fact that "wala" is a nice attempt at "voila" makes me cringe every time I read it. Ugh.
I'm glad I'm not the only one. That "word" makes me grind my teeth together!
I'm pretty sure there are supposed to be two L's in the moron version of "voila".
Wala means Nothing in Filipino
Just sayin'...
Ugh, that word "Caucasian". Does that phrase even really mean anything? It's a fake word coined by a major racist - see below from Wikipedia:
"The term "Caucasian race" was coined by the German philosopher Christoph Meiners in his The Outline of History of Mankind (1785).[4] In Meiners' unique racial classification, there were only two racial divisions (Racen): Caucasians ("white and beautiful") and Mongolians ("brown and ugly")."
STOP USING THAT WORD PEOPLE! It may sound academic but it's not. Anyway, for all intents and purposes, saying "white" gets the job done with way fewer syllables.
Thanks all for listening.
Jinna: telling us about the important things.
I didn't even know about that. Thank you for that good information. I will stop using this proto-Nazi classification.
Who are these weirdos who feel that The Hunger Games cannot be changed one iota? How many books have been adapted into films and the film is nothing like the book? It is called artistic license and what is going to put people in seats to make money for the studios. This is nothing but hot air being blown by freaks who have nothing better to do with their time than to jam up the internet with their bullshit. BTW, I've met Jesse Williams twice at Sundance Film Festival and he is fucking gorgeous and his eyes are menthol blue. Also, he has a freckled face to go with his blue eyes.
I want to see the movie they way I pictured it when reading the books, why does it have to be cast like a GAP commercial.
He's just stunningly beautiful and needs to be cast in everything from now on: Hunger Games, Dowton Abbey, Animal Planet specials, whatever. Just have him in there somewhere.
If I gave a fvck, I'd guess it would matter.
Does no one else see a little hypocrisy here? The major defense against people getting angry that Rue was cast as a black girl was "But in the book, she's a black girl!"
And yet, when someone is upset about casting a black guy as a character who is described as having tan or golden skin, the response is "The characters don't have to be exactly the same!"
Don't get me wrong, racism sucks. But please, at least be consistent in your attempts to refute it.
No I'm pretty sure the only 'defense' anyone needed was, "Holy shit, are you honestly mad that you cared about a black girl, how can you be that fucking racist." The fact that she was black in the text was really icing on the "oh god you're dumb AND racist" cake.
And really, check out Jesse Williams skin. It is the definition of GOLDEN.
Oh look y'all it's the book's discription of Finnick.
http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lrpt6391Ib1qfj1glo1_500.jpg
I think a lot of people are up in arms about this because Jesse is just not who they pictured. It's just a little throwing when everyone is throwing Armie Hammer and Garrett Hedland's name around and then people start suggesting Jesse Williams. There's nothing wrong with Williams, it's just most people weren't thinking that when the book said "bronze hair, tanned skin". While I don't care the colour of an actor, Jesse still wouldn't be my first choice. He's not what I pictured, I don't find him that sexy, nor does he seem to have enough film experience. If he gets the part, hey, I'll adjust, and I'm not going to throw a fit or anything. All I want is someone who can act the part, and if they look like the character is described naturally, even better.
Couldn't care less about colour but shouldn't Finnick and Johanna for that matter be a little older and world weary? Casting a pretty tween thats no older than Katniss is going to make parts of the story at little wierd.
So in general can we move away from listening to teenage girls ideas of casting.
Thank goodness the bible does not describe Jesus, else .... First of all, this guy does fit the description in the book (green eyes, golden brown)-- BUT THAT SHOULD NOT MATTER because Katniss and Peeta actors have been dyed and fried to look more like the characters. It's 2012 and we still care what RACE a character looks like or is!!! Wow, just wow. During Shakespeare's time, Katniss would be played by a MAN. May God have mercy on our souls, the prejudices and ill founded thoughts we have. This world is full of people who are primarily NOT anglo. Get out more, visit other countries, read a geography book, better yet, get a DNA test and find out what shows up on in your bloodline. No wonder we are destroying ourselves. Ignorance!!!
I don't get the fuss about Rue. She was supposed to be black! The book described her as having dark brown skin! Also, Suzanne Collins personally approved on casting her.