Should it happen with all the strife going on in the middle east? This could be done for political correctness and you could show a Iraqi as a crew member in a diverse setting working together with other races in a American Film.
Should a Muslim be cast for the film?
- Thread starter General_Custer
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^They cast for the best available actors, not what religion the actor happens to be. So being Muslim shouldn't be a free ticket to Paramount.
I wonder how many Iraqi actors have US green cards?
I wonder how many Iraqi actors have US green cards?
When Star Trek was created, one of the goals was to portray ethnic diversity... people of different races and cultures working together toward a common, noble purpose. In its time, it was ground-breaking.
Today, Star Trek is about... Star Trek. It is an end unto itself. TOS accomplished its original goal of being entertaining television and at the same time cultural metaphor, and it was successful because of, or sometimes in spite of that effort. Now the characters and settings of TOS are iconic... modern legends. Star Trek should be left alone to simply be Star Trek.
Perhaps in some future incarnation, a Star Trek series can be created that once again breaks new cultural and moral ground, but the insertion of some new character into the established Enterprise crew simply for political correctness sake would not be well received. It would be seen as condescending and preachy.
Let Star Trek be what it is... that's my opinion.
Today, Star Trek is about... Star Trek. It is an end unto itself. TOS accomplished its original goal of being entertaining television and at the same time cultural metaphor, and it was successful because of, or sometimes in spite of that effort. Now the characters and settings of TOS are iconic... modern legends. Star Trek should be left alone to simply be Star Trek.
Perhaps in some future incarnation, a Star Trek series can be created that once again breaks new cultural and moral ground, but the insertion of some new character into the established Enterprise crew simply for political correctness sake would not be well received. It would be seen as condescending and preachy.
Let Star Trek be what it is... that's my opinion.
Nicely said. In Trek that were breaking new ground, that would be a good choice. But this is TOS, where for better or worse there were no Muslim characters. Let sleeping dogs lie on that one.
Besides, Trek has never really been about explicitly commenting on modern events. It usually does so via veiled thematic devices, however transparently. If you recall 'Let That Be Your Last Battlefield', those dudes weren't anyone you might meet on earth, but the message was plain. I wouldn't be surprised if they touch on contemporary themes in Star Trek, but if it's done in the best Trek tradition, it won't be by so obviously bludgeoning you over the head with it...
It'll be by slightly less obviously bludgeoning you over the head with it
An actor should not be cast - or not cast - on the basis of his or her beliefs, just his or her aptitude for a given part.
This said, I do not object to having an Arabic character and/or a Muslim character, the former being consistent with Star Trek's ethnic tolerance.
This said, I do not object to having an Arabic character and/or a Muslim character, the former being consistent with Star Trek's ethnic tolerance.
Alexander Siddig ring any bells?
Anyone?
Dumb Question anyway. They should be casting the best actors for the roles. The ethnicity of the characters is down to the writers not casting directors, and that is where the question should be directed. Not that it makes a difference, they're all workshy gets anyway.
Anyone?
Dumb Question anyway. They should be casting the best actors for the roles. The ethnicity of the characters is down to the writers not casting directors, and that is where the question should be directed. Not that it makes a difference, they're all workshy gets anyway.
A Muslim should be cast but then all his scenes edited out before the film is released.
I disagree, but precisely beacuse Trek was both challenging and entertaining. If it's not going to swing for the fences in any way, there's really not much point. It didn't become a phenomena in the first place because it was a simple space adventure. I think it partially succeeded because it was speaking to that generation. If it's just going to be "Die Hard in Space" I'd say I'd rather not see it.
Not that simply throwing in a muslim just to throw in a muslim is a good idea -- just that it shouldn't be afraid to be bold. Be bold and be what you are.
What would be the point of a Muslim character? Or is the OP referring to an "Arab" character?
Should we have Christians, Jews, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jehovahs witnesses and athiests on board as well?
Star Trek has never been overly religious. In fact it often seems to distance itself from religion. Pretty much every time we see a "God" in Star Trek there's an alien/child/robot pulling the strings in the background.
Since Star Trek has never really dealt directly with characters' religious identities (at least in the case of the humans), having a character who is identified by his religious identity would be too distracting. Aren't humans supposed to have evolved beyond religion in the 23rd C? I know Trek has given us mixed messages about that, but it's the sort of thing that should be given its own movie (could even be a major plot arc for a whole TV series - I was hoping DS9 would tackle it), not just tossed in as an aside.
So you seem to be saying you want a nonwhite character who is Arab, Persian, Indian, maybe Indonesian? Just setting aside the issue that white people (or any people) can be Muslim, sure, why not? The major roles are already cast (and this movie is absurdly overstuffed with characters as it is) but you could have a redshirt or two with that ethnicity. They may already be planning for that. Trek's humans have always been diverse, so why should that ever change?
So you seem to be saying you want a nonwhite character who is Arab, Persian, Indian, maybe Indonesian? Just setting aside the issue that white people (or any people) can be Muslim, sure, why not? The major roles are already cast (and this movie is absurdly overstuffed with characters as it is) but you could have a redshirt or two with that ethnicity. They may already be planning for that. Trek's humans have always been diverse, so why should that ever change?
I hope we see a lot of different colors and flavors. That's what Star Trek used to be about.
DeafPoet said:
Nicely said. In Trek that were breaking new ground, that would be a good choice. But this is TOS, where for better or worse there were no Muslim characters. Let sleeping dogs lie on that one.
Besides, Trek has never really been about explicitly commenting on modern events. It usually does so via veiled thematic devices, however transparently. If you recall 'Let That Be Your Last Battlefield', those dudes weren't anyone you might meet on earth, but the message was plain. I wouldn't be surprised if they touch on contemporary themes in Star Trek, but if it's done in the best Trek tradition, it won't be by so obviously bludgeoning you over the head with it...
It'll be by slightly less obviously bludgeoning you over the head with it
Exactly, Trek, particularly TOS, where this film is set, dealt with issues for the most part in a sci-fi context. If the modern situation comes up in the film it should be in a science fiction allegory, not explicitly 'oh look here's an Iranian'.
DontFeedPhil
Fleet Captain
Here is a little story that should help everyone out.
One day the King of Saudi Arabia was meeting with President Bush. During their talk the King of SA said to Bush, "You know I am a big fan of American TV, there is this one show called Star Trek. Why is it that I never see an Arabic character on this show?"
President Bush leaned over and whispered in the Kings ear..."Cause its the Future..."
One day the King of Saudi Arabia was meeting with President Bush. During their talk the King of SA said to Bush, "You know I am a big fan of American TV, there is this one show called Star Trek. Why is it that I never see an Arabic character on this show?"
President Bush leaned over and whispered in the Kings ear..."Cause its the Future..."
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