Disney Analyst
Well-Known Member
There was uproar when it was first announced way back when. These are the first photos released however.
Rowling was having none of it when people huffed and puffed.
-
Welcome to the WDWMAGIC.COM Forums!
Please take a look around, and feel free to sign up and join the community.
There was uproar when it was first announced way back when. These are the first photos released however.
Rowling was having none of it when people huffed and puffed.
I agree that in the context it works, I just think it would work better if it was supposed to be the actual characters. There'll be kids in the audience asking why a specific character is a different ethnicity. Also it isn't immediately obvious that the performers are supposed to be actors in a play, there'll be many guests expecting to see the 'real' characters. Maybe if it was more obvious that they are supposed to be actors it wouldn't bother me as much. Years ago they used to have that performances cast list up which I think would help.
GiveMeTheMusic
Well-Known Member
It didn't seem to be much of an issue for the past 13 years. There was never anywhere near this level of scrutiny over casting for Aladdin, and it employed colorblind casting as well. I just don't understand the hoopla over it. Maybe people are upset because this is a white character and Aladdin's characters weren't white to begin with, so it's just now hitting home for some people? It's all much ado about nothing IMO
The casting of Aladdin pretty much matched the park characters as far as I could tell. There's been white Aladdin and Jasmine's in meet and greets.
GiveMeTheMusic
Well-Known Member
There were several Asian American performers who played Aladdin and Jasmine at the Hyperion, who looked nothing like the characters. There were also several African American performers who played Jafar and Sultan. There were white performers as well (just like Frozen).
My point is no one was worried about this stuff with Aladdin. Now all of a sudden, they're worried.
Curious Constance
Well-Known Member
Yes, I saw several blind casting characters cast in Aladdin performances. I never actually saw the show live, but I've seen many pictures of the show throughout the years, and there were many characters who looked nothing like the actual characters.
Agrabah is a lot more ambiguous as a fictional place compared to Arrendale.
GiveMeTheMusic
Well-Known Member
No it's not. They're both fictional kingdoms. Arendelle is obviously in Europe and Agrabah is obviously in the middle east, but they're both completely fictional kingdoms.
I know but I believe that's the reasoning people are making more of a fuss over Frozen than Aladdin. Arendelle is obviously based on Nordic European countries whereas Agrabah can over a much much much larger area.
Curious Constance
Well-Known Member
I think it's the complete opposite. Arrendale seems more ambiguous to me.
In what way? The architecture, landscape, clothing and even trolls do suggest Nordic influences, specifically Norway. Agrabah could literally be anywhere in the Middle East.
GiveMeTheMusic
Well-Known Member
How many Asian people do you find in the middle east? None. The middle east is an area with almost zero cultural diversity. I'm not doing this anymore. Have fun
Millions of Asian people in the Middle East maybe? Go away and learn some geography.
GiveMeTheMusic
Well-Known Member
I should be more specific. How many Chinese, Japanese, Filipino or Korean people do you see wandering around the middle east? Not many. Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia - these are not highly diverse places. The overwhelming majority of the people who live in the Middle East are Middle Eastern, crazily enough. So this guy...
...doesn't fit in. He doesn't look anything like Aladdin. This is his headshot:
His casting wasn't accurate to the character design, nor was it accurate to the historical or cultural norms we might associate with the fictional kingdom of Agrabah.
AND YET.
No one cared. Now Elsa's black at certain performances and people are crying WHAT ABOUT THE CHILDREN?!?!
K. Now I'm done, bye
Disney Analyst
Well-Known Member
The reason it is being so scrutinized is because it is popular to hate Frozen. Plain and simple. People are utilizing a double standard between Aladdin and Frozen, simply because they loved Aladdin and are still angry it was replaced. No one scrutinized any of the casting choices in Aladdin. It's ridiculous, hypocritical, and sad. I can't imagine how one of those talented girls would feel reading that article, but I can assure you it'd likely be heart breaking to them and I hope they do not see it.
Phroobar
Well-Known Member
If Hermione is being played by a black actress, shouldn't their daughter Rose look more mixed race and lighter skinned like Zendaya? That actress is why too dark unless Hermione marriage to Ron is her second marriage.
nerdboyrockstar
Well-Known Member
Hm. You're right. Seems highly implausible. I hope it doesn't deter from suspending disbelief at a show about kids with magical powers.
Stevek
Well-Known Member
Not necessarily. I have a female black friend, married and had a daughter with a white man...daughter is very dark too. Could be a gene thing...mom's genes more dominate as far as race.
GiveMeTheMusic
Well-Known Member
This
D
Deleted member 107043
Original Poster
Of course there will be. Remember the big stink over the casting of John Boyega in The Force Awakens because "Star Wars is white culture"?
http://usuncut.com/news/star-wars-actor-john-boyega-shuts-down-racist-fans/