To say nothing of Musk losing his shit over Christopher Nolan apparently casting Lupita Nyong’o as Helen of Troy in a movie adaptation of The Odyssey, as was recently announced.
News? Stories from Dubious Sources
- Thread starter The Old Mixer
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I mean, Greeks are not black generally, but more olive skin, so while I don't support Elon I also see his point. And a cursory read of Homer indicates Helen is described as more fair skinned, with blue eyes in the Iliad.
Elon doesn’t have a point. He’s not complaining because he’s a stickler for historical accuracy. And while there is more than enough evidence for an actual war between Greeks and Trojans—Homer’s (attributed) epic poetry is…wait for it…MYTH. It has sea monsters, gods, women with magic voices, and a giant cyclops, and we’re supposed to get upset about the disruption of historical consistency because of the casting of an excellent actor in the role of someone simply because she doesn’t match a fictional character’s description (and, for whom the character’s skin tone is entirely irrelevant to the story)? That’s absurd.
So, we shouldn't regard the source of myth in adaptation?
We shouldn’t feel hide bound to follow something the details of which are FAR less certain than is popularly believed.So, we shouldn't regard the source of myth in adaptation?
I don't feel bound so much as I feel cultural sourcing needs to be considered, just like any other adaptation process.
Well, the equally unlikely pale blond in the movie Helen of Troy in the fifties didn’t raise much of a stir. Elon can watch that instead.
Besides, in the story, Helen’s beauty is the driving element of her role—not any specific aspect of it.
Also, where was Elon’s disdain for Sigourney Weaver as Queen Isabella of Spain in 1492: Conquest of Paradise? (Not that there should have been any.)
In any case, to get back on topic, when is Nolan announcing his Trek film? (Dubious sources and such)
Adaptation has multiple considerations. If Lupita was the best actress for the role then yes it makes sense. If just cast because black, then problem. Similar issues I have with casting in Starship Troopers.Well, the equally unlikely pale blond in the movie Helen of Troy in the fifties didn’t raise much of a stir. Elon can watch that instead.
Besides, in the story, Helen’s beauty is the driving element of her role—not any specific aspect of it.
Also, where was Elon’s disdain for Sigourney Weaver as Queen Isabella of Spain in 1492: Conquest of Paradise? (Not that there should have been any.)
In any case, to get back on topic, when is Nolan announcing his Trek film? (Dubious sources and such)
I would think considering the chatter around adapting and changes made in Star Trek this was a legitimate question to raise for a story from ancient Greece?
And, no Nolan for Star Trek please.
Why would you assume otherwise?
I'm sure the people who questioned changing Robert April's race were thinking the same thing, right before they went into the woodchipper.
I'm not assuming anything.
Then why bring it up at all? (The possibility the actor is not the best available)
Unless there is a clear need for a fictional character to have a specific physical characteristic (like skin colour), then it’s irrelevant. And as Nolan’s film is not a sequel to Wolfgang Petersen’s Troy, it’s basically a reboot and thus Helen can be played by whomever Nolan wishes. It’s his film.
Same would apply to a true reboot of Trek (one not saddled with any direct ties with the original). In that case, a black Kirk, a female Spock, a South Asian McCoy…all would be fair game. Would it upset someone? Almost certainly. Doesn’t matter. Filmmakers, like authors, sculptors, and composers, can produce any take on fiction (or even actual history) they wish. We’re not owed satisfaction as the audience, nor are they owed unconditional acceptance as creators. What would be nice, whether in myth, Trek, or any other adaptation, would be for people to experience something first before deciding it’s “unacceptable”. Be a nice change of pace.
All great points
Why not?
OK, but Gods of Egypt, to name an example, is entirely fictional but people were complaining that the actors were not Egyptian. Using your logic there was no need to. Personally I think they should have cast at least northern African actors. Even when basing a work on mythology, the origin should be considered. If someone were doing a movie on native American mythology would it be considered acceptable to cast a British Actor? No. And yes, casting Helen as blond is also something that should not be done, since people from Greece/Turkey/Macedonia are generally not blond.
In any case, one should set one consistent standard.
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I think there is a difference with what you do when the original source material is written word vs. Trek where the source material is visual. A black Katniss Everdeen would not have been in any way unexpected in the first set of films, but would be jarring if recast now, in that J-Law is who immediately comes to mind for most people.
One would be quite nice. It's obviously dependant on the business SNW Season 4 & 5 does though.
I wasn't fussed by April being black, I just wished they kept the fuddy-duddy character from the old novels.
And the sweater wearing.
And the sweater wearing.