LOTR on prime

[LostLegend]

I cba with this narrative because they've casted a few black and asian people in Middle Earth, as long as they're decent actors it won't ruin anything for me.

It's all very strange isn't it?

I mean, I would understand if it was a factual biography of The Beatles and they hired Idris Elba to play John Lennon, but it's elves and dwarves in a fantasy setting we're talking about here.

 

[Nymzee]

It's all very strange isn't it?

I mean, I would understand if it was a factual biography of The Beatles and they hired Idris Elba to play John Lennon, but it's elves and dwarves in a fantasy setting we're talking about here. lol

But Elves have zero history of being anything but fair skinned, fair haired beautiful beings in Tolkein's work.

 

[dublinbluenose]

Does he know Tolkien wasnt an archaeologist

 

[Efcjake]

My only issue with things like this is that there is absolutely no need when it doesn't make logical sense for the tale.

Same thing happened on The Sandman; they've race swapped and gender swapped majority of the characters but funnily enough, not a single Asian. At what point does it stop looking like they're only casting people to fill a quota?

What's illogical about it? I'm aware there's some lore stating that there's asian or black people in other parts of middle earth or whatever but is it something that really breaks the ability to tell a good story?

 

[Efcjake]

But Elves have zero history of being anything but fair skinned, fair haired beautiful beings in Tolkein's work.

Sure but does it break anything in the story if they were black or asian? Doesn't really does it?

 

[Nymzee]

What's illogical about it? I'm aware there's some lore stating that there's asian or black people in other parts of middle earth or whatever but is it something that really breaks the ability to tell a good story?

Because there isn't any lore stating there are black elves, it's obviously completely minor, I just feel like surely black people don't really enjoy being squeezed in when they know of the backlash?

Same backlash there'd be if someone cast me as 50 Cent.

 

[Nymzee]

Sure but does it break anything in the story if they were black or asian? Doesn't really does it?

I never said it breaks anything. I just asked: what is the point. The fact we're having this conversation proves that.

 

[Efcjake]

If these were big name characters who people had some history with from books or other tv shows maybe you could have a right to be arsey about it in some way because it didn't fit the vision of that character but just saying it's ruined because some other characters you've never heard of is going be portrayed by a black or asian actor is a bit weird imo.

 

[JimmyJeffers]

I get just as angry when I see the white beardy Jesus on the cross. Woke catholics at it again

 

[GrandOldTeam]

Because there isn't any lore stating there are black elves, it's obviously completely minor, I just feel like surely black people don't really enjoy being squeezed in when they know of the backlash?

Same backlash there'd be if someone cast me as 50 Cent.

Did you know Anne Boleyn was black?

 

[Nymzee]

Did you know Anne Boleyn was black?

I had heard she had a Jamaican uncle.

 

[Efcjake]

Because there isn't any lore stating there are black elves, it's obviously completely minor, I just feel like surely black people don't really enjoy being squeezed in when they know of the backlash?

Same backlash there'd be if someone cast me as 50 Cent.

Exactly, but it seems to be dominating all of the discussion around the tv show.

Don't know if I'd be making generalized assumptions about how black people feel. I've seen plenty of people happy for the inclusion as it opens up the opportunities for them to envision themselves in the fantasy universe if they see that representation. Most big budget fantasy media has all been white male hero stuff because that's who wrote it and who they wrote for but now there's an opportunity to expose more of the Fantasy genre to people of different backgrounds and I think it's great because if it is more generally popular it means more fantasy stuff gets made.

I just want the show to be good.

 

[Nymzee]

Exactly, but it seems to be dominating all of the discussion around the tv show.

Don't know if I'd be making generalized assumptions about how black people feel. I've seen plenty of people happy for the inclusion as it opens up the opportunities for them to envision themselves in the fantasy universe if they see that representation. Most big budget fantasy media has all been white male hero stuff because that's who wrote it and who they wrote for but now there's an opportunity to expose more of the Fantasy genre to people of different backgrounds and I think it's great because if it is more generally popular it means more fantasy stuff gets made.

I just want the show to be good.

And the bold will not be dictated by any of this.

Again, all I have said on the matter, is why. For all the good exposure/inclusion brings the negative backlash is always so much bigger and completely deflects from the casting. Loads of people will go in disliking a character based on this even if the character turns out to be good.

Thankfully they haven't done it with any named characters from Tolkein's work (from what the trailers have shown).

 

[woodsyni]

It's all very strange isn't it?

I mean, I would understand if it was a factual biography of The Beatles and they hired Idris Elba to play John Lennon, but it's elves and dwarves in a fantasy setting we're talking about here.

? I'm with you on that! Like, different coloured skin would be the least realistic part of LOTR.

 

[JimmyJeffers]

Effin lord of the rings going woke. It’s enough to turn Bilbo’s hairy feet grey.