Like most of Generation X and our younger counterparts, I grew up on "Star Wars" and am as excited about the new "The Force Awakens" movie as the entire world - make that galaxy - seems to be.
It's encouraging that the cast is diverse, with African actors Lupita Nyong'o and John Boyega and Latino actor Oscar Isaac. However, there have been many fantasy films released over the past few years that have virtually no diversity at all: "The Lord of the Rings" series and modern spins on fairy tales such as "Pan" and "Into the Woods."
Does it matter if our culture's fantasy stories are diverse?
I would argue that it does matter. Why? Because fantasies, by definition, reflect the way the world should be. And shouldn't an idealized version of the world include a fair representation of the world's people?
It's encouraging that the cast is diverse, with African actors Lupita Nyong'o and John Boyega and Latino actor Oscar Isaac. However, there have been many fantasy films released over the past few years that have virtually no diversity at all: "The Lord of the Rings" series and modern spins on fairy tales such as "Pan" and "Into the Woods."
Does it matter if our culture's fantasy stories are diverse?
I would argue that it does matter. Why? Because fantasies, by definition, reflect the way the world should be. And shouldn't an idealized version of the world include a fair representation of the world's people?
There has been progress in big-screen diversity in recent years, but I'm hard-pressed to think of many fantasy films with an all-black cast. In fact, I can only think of one: 1978's "The Wiz."
This black take on "The Wizard of Oz" was considered a commercial and critical failure at the time. But the success of the newest version of "The Wiz," which was broadcast live on NBC on Dec. 3, shows that all-black productions of fantasy tales can, indeed, attract a sizeable audience. "The Wiz Live!" was such a hit that it's scheduled to be re-broadcast Dec. 19 at 8 p.m.
Beyond "The Wiz," could a fantasy film with a cast that was all black, Latino, Asian or another minority group be successful? Could such a film even get financed and made?
This black take on "The Wizard of Oz" was considered a commercial and critical failure at the time. But the success of the newest version of "The Wiz," which was broadcast live on NBC on Dec. 3, shows that all-black productions of fantasy tales can, indeed, attract a sizeable audience. "The Wiz Live!" was such a hit that it's scheduled to be re-broadcast Dec. 19 at 8 p.m.
Beyond "The Wiz," could a fantasy film with a cast that was all black, Latino, Asian or another minority group be successful? Could such a film even get financed and made?
Diversity advocates have long said that in order for minorities to be cast as central characters in mainstream movies and television shows, more people of color need to be behind the camera in decision-making positions. In order for a big-budget fantasy film to be made with an all-black cast, it would probably take a black producer or director with the clout of J.J. Abrams, the creative force (pardon the pun) behind the new "Star Wars" franchise.
The lack of diversity in the fantasy genre came up during one of the coolest events I attended in 2015: Sol-Con: The Black and Brown Comic Book Expo. The first-ever event was held Oct. 3-4 on the campus of my alma mater, The Ohio State University.
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| Sol-Con: The Black and Brown Comic Book Expo featured artists of color from all over the country. |
The event featured dozens of African-American and Latino writers, artists and filmmakers from all over the country showcasing their independently produced comic books, graphic novels and movies. As one African-American comic book artist pointed out during a panel discussion, why couldn't one of the main characters in a fantasy film like "The Hunger Games" be a person of color? For example, one of the guys in the love triangle with main character Katniss Everdeen could have been played by a black, Latino or Asian actor.
Furthermore, why couldn't one of the kids in a sci-fi movie like "Super 8" (written and directed by J.J. Abrams) have been black or a member of some other under-represented group?
It's discouraging that when fantasy films do include diverse casting, fans sometimes react negatively. The fact that a black actor (Boyega) plays a Stormtrooper in "The Force Awakens" has generated racist comments on social media. The same thing happened when Michael B. Jordan was cast as The Human Torch in last summer's "The Fantastic Four."
Why do some fantasy/sci-fi fans find "colorblind" casting so threatening?
I don't remember there being any controversy over Billy Dee Williams being cast as Lando Calrissian in 1980's "The Empire Strikes Back." I was just a kid back then, but I don't remember it being a big deal at all.
The prevailing sentiment over Williams' casting among "Star Wars" fans seemed to be, "A handsome, suave black man is playing a character in a 'Star Wars' movie? Cool." I also don't remember any outcry from fans over James Earl Jones being revealed as the voice of Darth Vader.
Have we regressed as a society in terms of race relations since the original "Star Wars" trilogy was first released in the '70s and '80s? Hopefully not. Hopefully we'll keep moving forward.
May The Force be with us.
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