[quote]four60 wrote:
Ok I’m just curious where does it state that he is white. Most stories about God or gods will talk of there personalities, not much on skin color. The group that is telling the story just assumes there gods look like them. I’m just curious outside of the comic pic were does it state his color?[/quote]
'Cause he’s based on a Norse God? Is this a serious question?[/quote]
Every god is described in the old tales as well, and trust me, they all are fair skin.
[quote]four60 wrote:
Ok I’m just curious where does it state that he is white. Most stories about God or gods will talk of there personalities, not much on skin color. The group that is telling the story just assumes there gods look like them. I’m just curious outside of the comic pic were does it state his color?[/quote]
'Cause he’s based on a Norse God? Is this a serious question?[/quote]
Yes it is, he is based on ther god, not an actual Norse Person. Hey I really dont care one way or the other. I’m just asking were is it written of his color to say he wasn’t . People through out history will make there gods look like themselves but will not write it down. It’s why if you see images of Christ in other countries they change his image to fit themselves.
Now if it’s written that The white lord had fair skin An long blond hair then people have a gripe. If not then it’s up to the story teller
It would seem only a certain kind of person is pissed about this…especially since this was not a premier character that most even know about.[/quote]
Your right, the type of person with the knowledge of Norse Mythology, the history of the scandinavian people… Not redneck racist hicks as you are seemingly trying to hint.
Altho it does make sense why Heimdall was the norse god chosen to be played by a black actor because he has the sight to the nine worlds and in the comic books his face is rarely seen above his nose, and when he looks for something his eyes turn to stars and his face blackens into space, but his long red haired goatee and fair skinned chin are always present.
How would you feel if the african gods were played by white people? or if your a fan of comic books, what would you think if I played Black Panther or Blade. More than anything it just doesn’t make sense.
[quote]four60 wrote:
Ok I’m just curious where does it state that he is white. Most stories about God or gods will talk of there personalities, not much on skin color. The group that is telling the story just assumes there gods look like them. I’m just curious outside of the comic pic were does it state his color?[/quote]
'Cause he’s based on a Norse God? Is this a serious question?[/quote]
Yes it is, he is based on ther god, not an actual Norse Person. Hey I really dont care one way or the other. I’m just asking were is it written of his color to say he wasn’t . People through out history will make there gods look like themselves but will not write it down. It’s why if you see images of Christ in other countries they change his image to fit themselves.
Now if it’s written that The white lord had fair skin An long blond hair then people have a gripe. If not then it’s up to the story teller[/quote]
Well, if the stories originate in the land of giant fair skinned, blone haired white dudes then I’d assume that the characters in those stories were the same unless otherwise stated. Speaking of stories, the bible states that Christ had skin the color of burnt bread and hair coarse like a lamb. Sounds like a black or Arabic dude to me. But you’re right, my Sunday School as a little guy depicted him as a fair skinned blue eyed white guy.
^ hahahaha yeah My grand mothers favorite pic of Jesus was of a guy that seemed to have dark reddish brown hair and skin so fair it would have been torn apart in middle eastern sun. But in the end it’s all about the story not the perceived look.
There has not been enough good superhero movies for me to care about the actors race as long as the story is good.
In the end will any of this matter if the movie sucks azz.
[quote]four60 wrote:
^ hahahaha yeah My grand mothers favorite pic of Jesus was of a guy that seemed to have dark reddish brown hair and skin so fair it would have been torn apart in middle eastern sun. But in the end it’s all about the story not the perceived look.
There have not been enough good superhero movies for me to care about the actors race as long as the story is good.
In the end will any of this matter if the movie sucks azz.[/quote]
I see what you’re saying. To me it doesn’t really matter all that much about the color of the bit characters as long as the integrity of the story remains intact. It’s not like They’re making Thor Cambodian or something. But, I can see how it is/would be a big deal to the purists. I’m gonna see it either way.
[quote]four60 wrote:
^ hahahaha yeah My grand mothers favorite pic of Jesus was of a guy that seemed to have dark reddish brown hair and skin so fair it would have been torn apart in middle eastern sun. But in the end it’s all about the story not the perceived look.
There has not been enough good superhero movies for me to care about the actors race as long as the story is good.
In the end will any of this matter if the movie sucks azz.[/quote]
[quote]four60 wrote:
Ok I’m just curious where does it state that he is white. Most stories about God or gods will talk of there personalities, not much on skin color. The group that is telling the story just assumes there gods look like them. I’m just curious outside of the comic pic were does it state his color?[/quote]
'Cause he’s based on a Norse God? Is this a serious question?[/quote]
Yes it is, he is based on ther god, not an actual Norse Person. Hey I really dont care one way or the other. I’m just asking were is it written of his color to say he wasn’t . People through out history will make there gods look like themselves but will not write it down. It’s why if you see images of Christ in other countries they change his image to fit themselves.
Now if it’s written that The white lord had fair skin An long blond hair then people have a gripe. If not then it’s up to the story teller[/quote]
Well, if the stories originate in the land of giant fair skinned, blone haired white dudes then I’d assume that the characters in those stories were the same unless otherwise stated. Speaking of stories, the bible states that Christ had skin the color of burnt bread and hair coarse like a lamb. Sounds like a black or Arabic dude to me. But you’re right, my Sunday School as a little guy depicted him as a fair skinned blue eyed white guy.[/quote]
^^^I honestly don’t remember. But, I went to a Lutheran school from Kindergarten-6th grade and I remember some of the black kids in my class asking why it described him like that when the pictures made him look white. I really wish I could remember what gem of an answer the teacher dropped on us.
Well part of it is an passage from the book of revalations. Not sure about the burnt bread part. The bible never actually states his facial features. You have to go on the features of the 1st century Jews which were very middle eastern in look. The images of Jesus in turkey has him looking very Middle eastern the pics people use on this side is mostly off of the Italian artist versions he looks like what ever the model they used look like off the street in Italy at the time of the middle ages.
Like the movie does it matter as much as the story he told?
Personally, it wouldn’t bother me if they changed up the race of Spiderman or Batman, or any super hero who’s character isn’t based on their ethnicity, but making a Nordic God black bugs me. Don’t get me wrong, it bugs me much in the same way that making Jakarra white would bug me. Elba may play the part well, but he’s going to look out of place. Far shot from a deal breaker, but irksome nonetheless.
To me, this seems like just a ploy to spark controversy.
^I could see the beef if it was a historical person or even a mythical human character who is white or black or whatever but this is a god, who are free to take on whatever shape or form they please. Gods are not bound by race shape or form. It’s the person that is telling the story that adds all of that. And this story teller did it his way. I’m not sure why it bugs ^so many?
So, Heimdal just decided to be black because he’s a God and he can? That doesn’t follow. Perhaps if more than just Heimdal did it, or if he changed into other things for shits and giggles too then I could see what you’re saying, but since that’s not the case I find it hard to believe that’s what the director was going for.
Besides, he’s not just “a God”, he’s a Nordic God, based on the projections of ancient Nordic men. Does it not follow that he should be Nordic in appearance as described by his mythology? I’m not opposed to a black man playing a white character, that’s not the problem. They could always pull a reverse Tropic Thunder if they just really like Elba for the part, but since that’s also not the case I think this is just a controversy ploy.
^ sure he looks that way because he wants to look that way he’s a god. Not sure why all the other gods would need to follow his choices (I’m laughing as I wright this because it’s funny to think about, Odin seeing him an going hmmm there is something differnt about you did you change your hair color?)
I’m not saying they would all need to be black, I’m saying, given your explanation, you would expect the other gods to do similar things. Since they haven’t it seems unlikely for that to be the reason.
If in the movie they decide to say something along the lines of “Heimdal looks like that cuz’ he’s a god and he felt like it” then fine, strange, but fine. Though, if that doesn’t happen then it seems like your looking for a contextual answer where there is none.
Sounds like your reaching for a reason. I’m saying a god any god needs no reason to look any way they choose. Gods change there shape an form all the time, hell the new comic version of Loki is a woman. Remember This is not even thy old mythology it’s only using some of the mythological characters. Hell show me where the Hulk or captain America show up in Asgard but it happens in comic books.
It’s no big deal, unless your saying Loki god can change sexes but not color?
i’m not even white and it annoys me and i did complain about the casting in the last airbender
if luke cage or black panther was played by an asian x would be pissed
Reaching? The only reasonable conclusion I see is either Elba was too good for the part to pass up (to which they could have reversed Tropic Thunder-ed him if they really wanted to) or it’s just to spark controversy (though, it’s probably a mix of the two).
I see no reason to assume a contextual excuse. Are you saying the script was written specifically for Heimdall to “change” himself into a black man (off screen AND before the events of the movie) to show how the gods can freely alter their appearance, but then not alter it any further AND have none of the other gods alter their appearances either? That’s a huge assumption. You’d think Elba, or anybody involved in the movie for that matter would’ve mentioned they were going for such sub-text in a interview or something. =/
Even if that were the case, it would be a totally pointless change to the story and given that there’s nothing in the source material to suggest Heimdall likes making himself look black (for whatever purpose) such reasoning would at best be an ex post facto excuse to hire an actor they already wanted to play the part.
[quote]RyuuKyuzo wrote:
Reaching? The only reasonable conclusion I see is either Elba was too good for the part to pass up (to which they could have reversed Tropic Thunder-ed him if they really wanted to) or it’s just to spark controversy (though, it’s probably a mix of the two).
I see no reason to assume a contextual excuse. Are you saying the script was written specifically for Heimdall to be black to show how the gods can freely alter their appearance, but then not alter it any further AND have none of the other gods alter their appearances either? That’s a huge assumption. You’d think Elba, or anybody involved in the movie for that matter would’ve mentioned they were going for such sub-text in a interview or something. =/
Even if that were the case, it would be a totally pointless change to the story and given that there’s nothing in the source material to suggest Heimdall likes making himself look black (for whatever purpose) such reasoning would at best be an ex post facto excuse to hire an actor they already wanted to play the part. [/quote]
No, now YOU are reaching. In the comics, Loki changed into a woman. That is what Loki is now…a big beautiful red haired woman. You are saying that a comic book character based on a NORDIC GOD that can change sex is acceptable to you but HOLY SHIT not a black person???
That makes zero fuck sense.
These are not the literal book adaptations of Nordic Gods. These are the MARVEL COMICS version of these gods.
Unless you are now raising hell that Loki is a woman, you have no reason to be losing it over this.
Quit reaching.
Why does skin color matter but not sex?
We heard no uproar from any comics fans when Loki had a sex change.