Color me unimpressed

[soc_puppet]

Ladies and gents, in case you haven't already seen it: the first pictures of Noah Ringer as Aang.

I have officially lost all interest in seeing this movie, even illegally. And I know it's regionally inaccurate, but since it looks like they're using henna on a Tibetan monk anyhow, couldn't they have drawn it with woad? At this point, it wouldn't have been any more offensive than anything else in the movie, IMO. (Note: It has been suggested that the arrow is an outline for post-production effects. This is believable, especially for the Avatar State, but I still think the color would have to be handled veeeery carefully. I'm also pretty sure that just faux-tattooing ahead of time would be less expensive/more effective than adding in the lines later. See also: blue contacts for PoC vs extensive tanning/bronzer for blue-eyed Caucasians, etc.)

Pessimistic Predictions:
1) Despite the fact that Mike and Bryan are supposedly working closely with people on the script, I expect heavy-handed, blatant changes to the storyline and themes.
2) Given that we have Suki cast, as well as an "Earthbending Father", but no Toph (somewhat understandable, since this is just book one), no Bumi, and no Haru, as well as how Suki was identified in at least one article as an earthbender, I'm guessing that she will be merged with Toph and Haru, as well as their storylines.
3) Any and all feminist messages, particularly related to Katara? Minimized or removed.
4) The reveal of Aang as the Avatar will be held until the ending for a "surprising twist".

Hopes:
1) Box office fail
1a) That will not negatively effect sales of the animated version
1b) Or many of the actors' careers at large
2) A greater percentage of fans will agree that the casting is problematic upon seeing these pictures

Edit: Some good news for contrast: Illinois tipped to allow civil unions next week! It's not gay marriage, but it's another step in the right direction ♥

Comments

[inarticulate]

Yeah, I just… the comments on it in racebending are all that's keeping me sane at this point. Fuck Hollywood. (Guy Aoki is still my hero.)

[soc_puppet]

So true >_< I can only hope that the horrible casting decisions here and in other films will trigger the start of a huge rise in popularity for independent filming. That, or massive changes in Hollywood.

[meigui]

At this point, I think all we can hope for is that this movie is going to be so full of lulzy fail that it turns into yet another example of "why whitewash fails like a failing thing" :/

[soc_puppet]

Yeah, probably >_< I patiently await its addition to the Examples Of Horrible Adaptations list.

[websofseaweed.livejournal.com]

This movie is going to be made of so much fail. (And I was so excited when the news first broke, too!)

[soc_puppet]

I was excited at first, but tried to temper my excitement shortly after hearing the first prediction of whitewashing. Since then, the only thing I had been consistently looking forward to was the costumes. Not so much anymore, though :

[ningen-demonai.livejournal.com]

......................................

[soc_puppet]

My thoughts exactly.

[girlquinn.livejournal.com]

Uh... is that picture of Patel!Zuko real?

[soc_puppet]

They're also on USA Today, so it looks like "yes".

Love how they're color-coding the "bad guys" not only by skin tone but by wardrobe, now.

[lightbird777.livejournal.com]

Saw these yesterday. Full of suck.

I'd rather rewatch all 3 seasons than pay money for this white-washed mess. And I agree with you. Any feminist messages will be nil. We're talking about a business controlled entirely by sexist, bigoted white males.

Yeah, I'm in a mood, aren't I?

[soc_puppet]

Seconding this, yes. And it's a mood I agree with, especially of late; it's not unreasonable to expect more. *goes back to surfing her anti-racist, feminist blogs*

[candy--chan.livejournal.com]

I will give this much: Dev's costume itself looks kinda cool. But that's about it. I'm not giving them a dime of my money. Maybe I could get my sister to let me go when she's working at the theater. Then I can see it and be horrified without having to pay for the privelege.

[kaitodoushi.livejournal.com]

.....

Dear God, if they merge Suki and Toph my brain will explode and there is just no way I will ever watch it. That would be one of my favorites characters mixed with someone I never liked for some reason I couldn't explain and... No. =/

I'm just hoping they're only merging her with Haru or something or that article was wrong, but I'm not hearing anything about Jet either...

Wow, this movie is going to suck.