Post by Sam Raimi on Jan 6, 2024 20:34:00 GMT
As a Marvel fan this is still something I still think about from time to time and I am curious how time and retrospect has changed (or not changed) people’s opinions.
Now it of course it goes without saying that Mr Boseman’s passing was tragic. He was an icon and he was certainly irreplaceable in the sense that he was one of a kind. He would always be remembered as THE Black Panther. That being said though I do not believe that recasting would have disrespectful. Quite the opposite. He helped bring this character to the masses and created something truly special. To end that legacy was short sighted. To continue it with others would have been the highest honor. We saw a clear example of this when Heath Ledger passed and three other iconic actors finished his final film.
Now, yes, of course I cannot deny a selfish motivation. I do genuinely feel sadness concerning his loss and lament the cruelty of the reality that good people die young. Hopefully that would go without saying. Replacing him and seeing someone else onscreen would have been tremendously sad. But it’s true I also desired to see more of this great character. I cannot deny that and do even feel a bit of guilt over it.
I do not think those two things are necessarily at odds though. And, while I don’t want to get political, I do believe a misguided and very calculated PR mentality drove the decision. Not out of sensitivity but fear and a bit of hypocrisy. To be blunt: the panic of corporate white people desperately trying to appear like they are doing the right thing. (Note: they still made a BP movie and barely changed its release window)
Ironically, I think in doing this they deprived a community of an iconic character. Of course, as a white squid with the pale translucent skin of an Antarctic jellyfish, I won’t speak for the black community. But TChalla was THE iconic black character of this century. Now he is gone and the momentum likely will not be there for whatever far off reboot may eventually come. Wakanda Forver was a good movie for what it was, doing the best it could under the circumstances. But I think it’s safe to say that the cultural impact made by the first film has evaporated. And that is sad. The world lost the man behind the character and now we have lost the character.
I respect all opinions— (so long as they are respectful of others and don’t make false assumptions about others’ motives). Please feel free to respond with contrary opinions and arguments. Thanks for reading!
Now it of course it goes without saying that Mr Boseman’s passing was tragic. He was an icon and he was certainly irreplaceable in the sense that he was one of a kind. He would always be remembered as THE Black Panther. That being said though I do not believe that recasting would have disrespectful. Quite the opposite. He helped bring this character to the masses and created something truly special. To end that legacy was short sighted. To continue it with others would have been the highest honor. We saw a clear example of this when Heath Ledger passed and three other iconic actors finished his final film.
Now, yes, of course I cannot deny a selfish motivation. I do genuinely feel sadness concerning his loss and lament the cruelty of the reality that good people die young. Hopefully that would go without saying. Replacing him and seeing someone else onscreen would have been tremendously sad. But it’s true I also desired to see more of this great character. I cannot deny that and do even feel a bit of guilt over it.
I do not think those two things are necessarily at odds though. And, while I don’t want to get political, I do believe a misguided and very calculated PR mentality drove the decision. Not out of sensitivity but fear and a bit of hypocrisy. To be blunt: the panic of corporate white people desperately trying to appear like they are doing the right thing. (Note: they still made a BP movie and barely changed its release window)
Ironically, I think in doing this they deprived a community of an iconic character. Of course, as a white squid with the pale translucent skin of an Antarctic jellyfish, I won’t speak for the black community. But TChalla was THE iconic black character of this century. Now he is gone and the momentum likely will not be there for whatever far off reboot may eventually come. Wakanda Forver was a good movie for what it was, doing the best it could under the circumstances. But I think it’s safe to say that the cultural impact made by the first film has evaporated. And that is sad. The world lost the man behind the character and now we have lost the character.
I respect all opinions— (so long as they are respectful of others and don’t make false assumptions about others’ motives). Please feel free to respond with contrary opinions and arguments. Thanks for reading!
