So have things really changed

[Thestral]

Disregard the real/not real part of it and look further into the comparison. Changing the ethnicity of anyone, whether they are real or not, is generally a stupid idea.

I dunno, it seems to've worked pretty well for Shakespeare's characters over the years. As well as Homer's.

 

[StarTrek1701]

Disregard the real/not real part of it and look further into the comparison. Changing the ethnicity of anyone, whether they are real or not, is generally a stupid idea.

I dunno, it seems to've worked pretty well for Shakespeare's characters over the years. As well as Homer's.

All of them blockbusters, yes?

 

[Thestral]

<shrug> Theatrical productions don't tend to be blockbusters in the common parlance, but they're no less culturally significant.

However, West Side Story would be one very prominent example, Romeo+Juliet, featuring a black Mercutio, and Romeo Must Die. How about Bollywood productions?

For Homer, you've got, at a Wiki glance, James Joyce (Ulysses), Sinbad the Sailor (though that obviously rather pre-dates "blockbusters"), 2001: A Space Odyssey, O Brother, Where Art Thou, and Cold Mountain.

Also, there's of course Jesus Christ: Superstar, and its' depiction (in the filmed versions) of either Judas or Peter as an African American.

 

[stueyross]

Surely the use of Shakespeares and Homers characters etc is more of an indication that these are not from a recent visual medium. There is no "iconic" Romeo (although there have been some awesome interpretations) or one true Juliet. These are more ideas of the character that someone can adapt, rather than something much more visually entrenched on the viewer like Batman etc

 

[Thestral]

But the source material identifies Romeo and Juliet as both Italians of high class, and Juliet fourteen years old. If Shakespeare's source material can be adapted successfully. what makes Joe Siegal so special? (Not that I neccessarily agree we *should* change Supes or Bats, but for different reasons than "you must stay true to the source material!!!")

 

[The Comedian]

How does a Green Lantern movie get made before a Wonder Woman movie?

Because the Lantern power would be far more spectacular on the screen and because there seems to have been a number of development issues going on behind the scenes when it comes to Wonder Woman.

And I bet you are relieved *I* wasn't played by a black guy in "Watchmen."