Matt S. has pointed us to the controversy over the casting of The Last Airbender (to be released 2010). One blogger, comic book artists Derek Kirk Kim, describes the Nickelodeon cartoon series on which the life-action movie is based as follows:
[The cartoon is] wholly and inarguably built around Asian (and Inuit) culture. Everything from to the costume designs, to the written language, to the landscapes, to martial arts, to philosophy, to spirituality, to eating utensils!—it’s all an evocative, but thinly veiled, re-imagining of ancient Asia. (In one episode, a region is shown where everyone is garbed in Korean hanboks—traditional Korean clothing—the design of which wasn’t even altered at all.) It would take a willful disregard of the show’s intentions and origins to think this wouldn’t extend to the race of the characters as well.
The series–which I have never seen–does indeed seem to be inspired by various Asian cultures. Here are some images from the cartoon series (from the same blog post):
The controversy is regarding the casting of the lead characters. All four leads are white (imdb).
Jackson Rathbone (image at imdb):
Jesse McCartney (image here):
Nicola Peltz (image here):
I couldn’t find a picture of the fourth lead, Noah Ringer.
Kim quotes Gene Yang saying:
It’s like a white Asian fetishist’s wet dream. All the Asian culture they want, without any of the Asian people.
Ampersand, at Alas a Blog, puts it nicely:
…the best roles for people of color are reserved for actors who appear white — and the best roles for white people are also reserved for actors who appear white.
Comments 41
mordicai — January 26, 2009
This also leaves out: is pretending that "Asia" is a solid piece of culture super insulting? Is "ancient Asia" a viable thing to pretend exists?
For my money, it is. I don't think it is a problem. I compare "Western fantasy" to "Asian fantasy." Western fantasy is the same mishmash of cultures & styles & times.
Sabriel — January 26, 2009
For those who haven't seen the show, it's important to know that the show does not pretend that Asia is one monoculture. In brief, the show is about four distinct peoples:
The Southern and Northern water tribes: Based on Inuit culture
The Air Nomads: Based on Tibetan culture
The Fire Nation: Based on Japanese culture
The Earth Nation: Based on Chinese culture
I'm not going to say that the show is without fault. Avatar is certainly guilty of a lot of appropriation. However, the four nations are distinct and the societies are very different. The main characters experience a lot of culture shock during their travels.
It is completely outside of the spirit of the show that the cast is all-white. The only possible excuse that I've heard is eye color, because eye color is coordinated with the elements: blue (water), green (earth), hazel (air), and yellow (fire). However, this is a problem that is easily solved by having the actors wear contacts.
This is definitely a case of whitewashing.
Bagelsan — January 26, 2009
I would add that the Earth Nation itself seems fairly diverse, and includes some Korean influence too (and maybe other groups I'm not knowledgeable enough to identify.) It's the largest, and has room for a couple distinct groups who do still all identify as one political entity.
lgreen — January 26, 2009
Even weirder...IMDB says the movie is being directed by M. Night Shyamalan, who is totally not white. I wonder if he made the casting choices, or if they were imposed by someone else.
eruvande — January 26, 2009
This makes me so angry, both on a racial level and as a huge fan of the show. But hey, maybe they'll do what the makers of the new Dragonball live-action did and get Chow Yun Fat to play Uncle Iroh and point and say "LOOK WE'RE DIVERSE."
They CAN NOT tell me that they couldn't find talented Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Tibetan, or Native kids to play in this movie. The series is all about the differences between cultures and how they can live together peacefully. What purpose does it serve to cast white actors in the lead roles, other than to drive teenyboppers out to see Jesse McCartney?!
Ranah — January 26, 2009
This reminds me of the filming of Ursula Le Guin's Earthsea books. The leading characters in her books weren't white; this was important to her.
Among other things, she was disappointed to find out that in the filmed version they were all played by white actors.
Sabriel — January 26, 2009
I think disappointed is putting it mildly. Some commentary about that from Ursula Le Guin herself can be found here: A Whitewashed Earthsea: How the Sci-Fi channel wrecked my books.
(I am also a fan of Le Guin)
Matt K — January 26, 2009
Yeah, there's a definite analogue to the Dragonball movie here, which while not set in our Earth either, has a mostly-white cast in the live-action film. While most of the characters are aliens, they probably follow "East Asian" appearance more than anything. I agree with Gene Yang on this. That probably feeds into the reasoning behind this: execs or casting agents think a white kid is more marketable. And they're probably right -- Yang's quote seems very apt in this regard.
Sanguinity — January 26, 2009
Not only are the main cast white, but a casting call was put out for the extras, specifying Asian actors, to preferably show up in ethnic dress of their individual heritages.
So it's not exactly like the production company is pretending to believe Avatar is a non-Asian world.
Matt K — January 26, 2009
Just the important people in the world...
Sigh.
MW — January 26, 2009
From Racialicious:
http://www.racialicious.com/2009/01/22/avatar-get-a-tan-become-asian/
Racialicious says:
The controversy hasn’t really died down. Avatar fans are still angry. And one of the movie’s actors, Jackson Rathbone, who will play Sokka, seems to think he can easily pull off playing Asian with just a new hairstyle and a tan: ‘Twilight’ Star Jackson Rathbone Hopes To ‘Show His Range’ In ‘Last Airbender’.
Raciliacious quotes from MTV.com http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1602757/story.jhtml: Due in theaters in summer 2010, “Airbender” has already begun to face a bit of controversy over the casting of white actors like Rathbone, Ringer and McCartney to play Asian characters - a concern the actor was quick to dismiss. “I think it’s one of those things where I pull my hair up, shave the sides, and I definitely need a tan,” he said of the transformation he’ll go through to look more like Sokka. “It’s one of those things where, hopefully, the audience will suspend disbelief a little bit.”
Edwina — January 26, 2009
Wow, this makes me so sad. I was a loyal fan of Avatar for a while, and was eager to see what would happen with the movie. It saddens me greatly to see such a white-washed cast, especially when all of the major characters were very clearly NOT WHITE, and two were especially brown-skinned. Here was a great opportunity to cast some very talented kids of different ethnicities where they otherwise might not have a shot at headlining anything, and they blew it.
eruvande — January 26, 2009
Sanguinity: Really?! Wow. Now it's extra disgusting. You can't play a person with an ethnicity based on your own, but be sure to come in those cute little costumes you people wear, and we'll put ya in the background! Sheeeeesh.
sappari, zenzen » Blog Archive » Let’s all play “Ignore the background!” — January 26, 2009
[...] of course–they’re all white. [...]
Elena — January 26, 2009
Elaborating on what Sanguinity commented, what the casting director said was:
...There are not enough facepalms in the world.
By the way, Avatar is a great, great show. I heartily recommend it.
same anon. commenter — January 26, 2009
Fire Nation? Doesn't look too Japanese to me. But of course, Japaneseness emerged after 894...
Elena:
“If you’re Korean, wear a kimono."
What? ...Did he really say that?
Since when do Koreans wear the kimono? Did the Japanese force them to do so during occupation?
This is where I agree with mordicai, and part of what Sabriel said about appropriation. It's bound to be a mishmash of Western fantasies about the East. And it's going to look wrong from the East Asian eye no matter how hard they try. Just like the whole train of expensive production by Hollywood-trying-to-look-authentic. I say: why not cast Caucasians? That way we'd all be sure whose fantasy it is, anyway?
(says mind. body: ewwwww. just ew.)
Elena — January 27, 2009
same anon. commenter: That's why there are not enough facepalms. And it's not like Belgians use lederhosen, either. There's a secondary character in Avatar who wears a hanbok, incidentally...
The comparisons between Fire Nation and Japan are more in line with it being an island empire, and that the society is a lot like the militaristic regime during Taisho-era Japan. Despite that, artistic influences are more Tang dynasty China, the clothes aren't meant to look more like kimonos than a fantasy-ish sort of hanfu. Earth Kingdom is more resembling of Qing Dynasty China based on dress and general style.
By the way, the styles of "magic" that the characters use are based on at least five different schools of kung fu, and besides, the team had a martial arts consultant that ended as a secondary character in-show. The research work for the animated series was staggering, and it's a pity that they're wrecking it in the live action version.
same anon. commenter — January 27, 2009
Elena:
Thanks for the thorough commentary.
> Tang dynasty China
Pre 894 Japan was under strong cultural influence of Tang, so that sort of makes sense.
So the people who had actually done the research, where are they now?
*readies for another facepalm*
Elena — January 27, 2009
The fandom is mostly thinking that the show creators (Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko) are not talking in order to not look like they're badmouthing the live action people... but, really, nobody knows.
Raire — January 27, 2009
It is generally known among the Avatar fans that a lot of effort was put into making the Avatar-verse as respectful as possible of the different cultures on which it draws on. There really was a great effort put into the research and the construction, and I believe it shows. While the two creators took that care in the show, it seems that those who are making the live action don't understand the appeal that the show's diversity has... which is a huge letdown to many of us fans. There is speculation that Brian and Myke had to sign something when the live action film was proposed that does not allow them to express discontent...
There was an actual protest (small one) at the extras casting call, and another one being planned: http://aang-aint-white.livejournal.com/2447.html which is being semi-organized by the group that created the letter writing campaign.
This Matters: Avatar the Last Airbender’s Friky Diky Cast (Link Roundup Constantly Being Updated) « Lemon Water — January 27, 2009
[...] Casting the Last Airbender - Lisa @ Sociological Images [...]
Ryan — January 27, 2009
I'm not clear is this movie live action or animated? If it's animated then it's just another in a long line of white hollywood actors playing 'ethnic roles'. If it's live action, then what's the difference between this film and the recent "Dragon Ball Z" or "Street Fighter: Legend of Chun Li"? All of these films use "white" actors in "asian" roles.
I'm not sure why this picture would generate more controversy. Asian actors are under represented in Hollywood in general. I'll tell you for a fact that all the asian kids I went to college with school with are all working BEHIND the camera while the white kids are all IN FRONT of the camera. Hollywood sucks. It's dedicating to gloryfing WASPish "AMERICANA". Why the outrage? This is just par for the course.
Tim — January 29, 2009
People were upset when Chinese actresses played Geishas in Memoirs, people are upset that there are black zombies in RE5. Entertainment is interested in their audience, not people who gripe about neighboring countries. How dare anyone associate one country with a country that borders it! *FACEPALM!* Avatar was in English and you're shocked that actors are white?
Denise — February 14, 2009
Um, Tim, there are such things as non-white English-speaking Americans too.
I'm one of them. HI HOW YA DOIN?
Katie — March 10, 2009
"Sabriel
Posted January 26, 2009 at 10:24 am | Permalink
For those who haven’t seen the show, it’s important to know that the show does not pretend that Asia is one monoculture. In brief, the show is about four distinct peoples:
The Southern and Northern water tribes: Based on Inuit culture
The Air Nomads: Based on Tibetan culture
The Fire Nation: Based on Japanese culture
The Earth Nation: Based on Chinese culture
I’m not going to say that the show is without fault. Avatar is certainly guilty of a lot of appropriation. However, the four nations are distinct and the societies are very different. The main characters experience a lot of culture shock during their travels.
It is completely outside of the spirit of the show that the cast is all-white. The only possible excuse that I’ve heard is eye color, because eye color is coordinated with the elements: blue (water), green (earth), hazel (air), and yellow (fire). However, this is a problem that is easily solved by having the actors wear contacts.
This is definitely a case of whitewashing."
Let me tweek this a bit...
The Southern and Northern water tribes: Based on Inuit culture
The Air Nomads: Based on Tibetan culture
The Fire Nation: Based on Chinese culture
The Earth Nation: Based on Korean culture.
Island of Kiyoshi: Based on Japanese culture
I'm sorry, I have to be anal about it.
chico do junior — April 10, 2009
http://www.orkut.com.br/Main#Profile.aspx?rl=bgp&uid=3927820282197363176
It is completely outside of the spirit of the show that the cast is all-white. The only possible excuse that I’ve heard is eye color, because eye color is coordinated with the elements: blue (water), green (earth), hazel (air), and yellow (fire). However, this is a problem that is easily solved by having the actors wear contacts.
This is definitely a case of whitewashing.”
Let me tweek this a bit…
The Southern and Northern water tribes: Based on Inuit culture
The Air Nomads: Based on Tibetan culture
The Fire Nation: Based on Chinese culture
The Earth Nation: Based on Korean culture.
Island of Kiyoshi: Based on Japanese culture
I’m sorry, I have to be anal about it.
Whedon and orientalism « fuzzytheory — April 17, 2009
[...] is one of power. The latest stink about the movie version of Last Airbender is a good example. See here for an analysis. Thea Lim at Racialicious argues that Joss Whedon suffers from a similar problem in [...]
oscar — April 22, 2009
dude its based on asian culture but each nation is a diffrent race.
fire nation-caucasion
water tribes-Inuit
earth kingdom-people of color
air nomads-asians
elisabet — June 22, 2009
estan lindo jackson rathbone igual que jesse perono pero no caxo a la cola que aparese al ultimo
gl — June 26, 2009
don't be surprised holywood has been doing this for years, the last samurai staring tom cruise last of the mohecans with a white lead karati kid white lead, thats just how it works wether its a good movie or not i wont forgive hollywood for giving 99.9% of the good leads to whites. i gues they dont think other races cam make good leads in movies involving there own cultures.
Hollywood Discomfort with Asian Lead Characters » Sociological Images — August 16, 2009
[...] of the series protested when it became clear that the cast for the movie was overwhelmingly Caucasian. The “bad” character, Zuko, was originally played by Jesse McCartney, a White [...]
Guest Post: Can Ming the Merciless Be Redeemed? » Sociological Images — October 13, 2009
[...] light of the recent scandals about the casting for “Avatar: The Last Airbender” (see here and a follow up here), we thought you’d enjoy this thoughtful discussion of the Flash Gordon [...]
Casting White Actors In Asian Roles: 1957 to Today » Sociological Images — November 29, 2009
[...] over the casting of white actors for the film version of The Last Airbender, a show filled with Asian characters, and the producers’ sketchy decision to re-cast one evil [...]
Karole — December 1, 2009
I love Avatar the TV show, and it makes me really sad that the casting is so disappointing. I have no opinions at all on the people currently cast on their acting ability, but as many other people have commented, this show HEAVILY portrays and uses "Asian" (drawing from various cultures) themes. I think the show has done a pretty good job of being well-researched and respectful (with some silly caricatures), and I am disappointed that the movie is not following that lead. Honestly I wish they'd just do an animated movie. I supposed they'll do live-action to appeal to a wider audience, but if they're going to mess up the casting so badly they'd be better of just animating all the characters like the TV show.
Casting White Actors In Asian Roles: 1957 to Today | Racialicious - the intersection of race and pop culture — December 3, 2009
[...] over the casting of white actors for the film version of The Last Airbender, a show filled with Asian characters, and the producers’ sketchy decision to re-cast one evil [...]
Agnes — March 28, 2010
In the show, the main characters aren't even all Asian. Aang is white, Katara and Sokka are both black, and most of the side characters are white as well. The casting of this movie is not racist at all, since it nearly parallels the characters of the show. And in the show, the characters could have been what ever race the creators wanted, since it was completely animated. Therefore, if one argues that the casting of this movie is racist, then they must argue that the original show is as well. Besides, each nation did not have a set race. There were people of different races in every episode, no matter what element they could bend. I think that the creators simply wanted to make this show accessible to everyone and bring a sense of unity while still informing its viewers about traditional asian cultures.
Antiracebender — May 20, 2010
Agnes, you're an idiot. Aang is based on Tibetan and Shaolin monks. NOT WHITE! And the Water Tribes are INUIT. Just because someone has dark skins, doesn't make them black! I really hope you're trolling, because a person can't be THIS stupid!
The cartoon was not racist.
rainingcrow — June 10, 2010
has no one noticed that the "white" sokka and katara in the movie appear more native american than anything else? and that the entire fire nation is eastern indian... or that the earth nation all seem to be asian. The only "white" character in there so far is ang... and since he is "the last airbender" I doubt there will be many other whit people in there.
lyssa — July 19, 2010
Jesse McCartney wasn't in it, he got recasted with Dev Patel.
It was a horrible movie. They did a horrible injustice to the cartoon.
crissy — November 12, 2010
hi,nicola i like your picture!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kasaysayan ng Avatar – Understanding NorwynKah — September 21, 2018
[…] https://thesocietypages.org/socimages/2009/01/26/casting-the-last-airbender/ […]