Should actors only portray their race/gender/sexuality/religion?

[TylerW]

Don’t remember ever seeing a movie with trans people in it. If I did I couldn’t care less if they’re really trans or not.
They’re actors aren’t they, thats what they do play people they’re not.

A great actor like Arnold Schwarzenegger could play any roll.

Sure, any great actor can portray a variety of roles - that's what makes them a great actor.

But if there's a movie coming out that features motorcycling as one of its core themes, wouldn't you feel a greater draw to it if the main character was played by Keanu Reeves or Tom Cruise or Ewan McGregor, or any other actor who is active and passionate about motorcycling?

 

[Free_Bird]

Do get a strange vibe from movies of white actors portraying Asian. Even stories where whites had significant influence in Asian events like Tom Cruise in the Last Samurai and Matt Damon in the Great Wall.
The Black Face and White Face seems more a comradery than have a malicious intent. Why so serious.

 

[Blankpage]

Sure, any great actor can portray a variety of roles - that's what makes them a great actor.

But if there's a movie coming out that features motorcycling as one of its core themes, wouldn't you feel a greater draw to it if the main character was played by Keanu Reeves or Tom Cruise or Ewan McGregor, or any other actor who is active and passionate about motorcycling?

Didn’t bother me that that actors who played James Hunt and Niki Laura in the movie Rush weren’t racers. Or the guy who played Carol Shelby in Ford.
Could give it more cred but it’s not necessary for a successful flick.

 

[AbsolutEnduser]

Sorry that was in another thread

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Associate_(1996_film)

great image BTW.Amazing portrayal. (Not having seen the movie at all :dunno)

I imagine the internet has a bunch of websites that have many people full-on bothered that Whoopi Goldberg has done this????

 

[TylerW]

Didn’t bother me that that actors who played James Hunt and Niki Laura in the movie Rush weren’t racers. Or the guy who played Carol Shelby in Ford.
Could give it more cred but it’s not necessary for a successful flick.

And that's exactly it. There's just a certain level of depth that only lived experience can bring to light. I know actors train and study intensely for their roles, but there's only so much you can learn without actually living it.

Benedict Cumberbatch is a fantastic actor, but he's not gay, and yet he still portrayed Anal Turing in the Imitation Game. And while I still love that movie, Turing's homosexuality only played out as a very minor point in that film. I'd like to think that if more gay people were involved in the production of that film, his homosexuality would have been more central to the plot of the film.

 

[aminalmutha]

Never go full retard.

 

[DucatiHoney]

And my final sentence wasn’t an attack on you HHM. I know that this is a real argument happening in the entertainment industry.

 

[aminalmutha]

Not sure why anyone gives any fucks about what an actor is off screen.

 

[HappyHighwayman]

Not sure why anyone gives any fucks about what an actor is off screen.

Do you think a white actor in blackface is offensive, or at least a reasonable source of offense to black people?

 

[TylerW]

I think instead of asking the question "Can any actor or actress play any kind of character they are hired for?" We should be asking the following question:

"If a character is trans, or gay, or black, or asian, why would we want anyone but someone who is black, or trans or gay, or asian to be playing that role?"

 

[Kurosaki]

This is kinda a different subject, but I've heard a lot of criticism of BBT because feel like it's making a punchline out of people who are on the autism spectrum - primarily Sheldon.

At least, that's what I've heard and read. I don't really know enough about autism to say one way or another.

I enjoy the show, warts and all.

Those people can go find something else to be outraged about. Sheldon's life is pretty awesome. If anything it shows you can be a little weird and on that spectrum and still be just fine.

 

[HappyHighwayman]

I think instead of asking the question "Can any actor or actress play any kind of character they are hired for?" We should be asking the following question:

"If a character is trans, or gay, or black, or asian, why would we want anyone but someone who is black, or trans or gay, or asian to be playing that role?"

Great question. Money?

Ironically, many Japanese people thought it was an honor that ScarJo played the main character in Ghost In The Shell (her character is a Japanese brain in a while person's sleeve).

 

[Kurosaki]

And that's exactly it. There's just a certain level of depth that only lived experience can bring to light. I know actors train and study intensely for their roles, but there's only so much you can learn without actually living it.

Benedict Cumberbatch is a fantastic actor, but he's not gay, and yet he still portrayed Anal Turing in the Imitation Game. And while I still love that movie, Turing's homosexuality only played out as a very minor point in that film. I'd like to think that if more gay people were involved in the production of that film, his homosexuality would have been more central to the plot of the film.

whoops!!

 

[TylerW]

Great question. Money?

Ironically, many Japanese people thought it was an honor that ScarJo played the main character in Ghost In The Shell (her character is a Japanese brain in a while person's sleeve).

I don't have a deep affinity for Ghost in the Shell, so I don't really have a dog in that fight, but I still think it was a massive missed opportunity to cast ScarJo in that role, instead of, I dunno, Rinko Kikuchi?

Johansson is a fine actress, and I really enjoy her portrayal of Black Widow in the Marvel films. But I am So. Fucking. Bored. of seeing her on screen. I want to see different faces up there. We don't need to see the same ten actors and actresses in every role. I'm also looking at you Oscar Isaac, Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Dormer, heck even Tessa Thompson is guilty of this.

 

[HappyHighwayman]

whoops!!

I saw that too but though it was on purpose

 

[TylerW]

whoops!!

:laughing Good catch.

Nope, not intentional. At least not consciously. :laughing

 

[aminalmutha]

Do you think a white actor in blackface is offensive, or at least a reasonable source of offense to black people?

Of course it's offensive, what's your point?

 

[HappyHighwayman]

Of course it's offensive, what's your point?

That contradicts your statement. If someone is white off screen then yes, you agree people will be upset if they’re black on screen.

 

[GAJ]

Well, movies for the most part are so expensive I imagine priority number one is a "bankable" actor/actress so investors get a return on their investment.

 

[aminalmutha]

That contradicts your statement. If someone is white off screen then yes, you agree people will be upset if they’re black on screen.

I put zero energy into thinking about an actor's daily life. I know there is a whole industry built on following these people around, I just don't get it and don't take part in it.

An actor doesn't just magically end up on screen also; there are writers, producers, directors, management, etc, involved in getting those dickheads on screen.

There are ultra-offensive, awful films out there that blow away any main-stream movies people get butthurt about. I choose not to watch them. I choose not to watch most movies. Everyone else has the same choice.

I just assume that most big time actors are shitty people I will never have to worry about hanging out with. Not gonna carry around that energy, tho.