Why a non-Asian Ancient One? Ask China!
Of all the influences a film has on it, it's a wonder we ever get close to the source material at all. From contract negotiations to internet spoilers to fan outrage to political correctness, there are SO many things pushing and pulling on the creative flow of comic movies today. Just like the Edgar Wright debacle that kept Ant-Man out of the Avengers scene until this year, the supposed racist stereo-types, political sensibilities and the buying power of China have derailed the source material for the upcoming Doctor Strange movie.
First of all, a bit of history.
Doctor Strange, once a brilliant surgeon, finds himself a lost and broken man after an automobile crash. Wandering the world, he finds a new way in Tibet. He found himself under the tutelage of the current Sorcerer Supreme (only called the Ancient One); a Tibetan man.
The major Marvel motion picture, due out November 4th, cast the role as a white female in the form of Tilda Swinton. Now, this has been both praised as a great role for a strong female and a complete and utter 'whitewash'. Turns out, it was neither. C. Robert Cargill, on the Double Toasted, had this to say in explanation.
"The Ancient One was a racist stereotype who comes from a region of the world that is in a very weird political place. He originates from Tibet. So if you acknowledge that Tibet is a place and that he’s Tibetan, you risk alienating one billion people who think that that’s bullshit and risk the Chinese government going, Hey, you know one of the biggest film-watching countries in the world? We’re not going to show your movie because you decided to get political.’ If we decide to go the other way and cater to China in particular and have him be in Tibet… If you think it’s a good idea to cast a Chinese actress as a Tibetan character, you are out of your damn fool mind and have no idea what the fuck you’re talking about."
Now, first of all, I'm getting a bit tired of using the fact that some would consider this a 'racist stereo-
type' as evidence that it is. The story was written much like Iron Fist where an influential white male paid homage to ancient oriental traditions to become a hero, leaving arrogance and pride behind. Most of this was done because of the audience and the eggshells they had to tip-toe through back in the 60s. Once Marvel got it's feet under it and became the mighty machine it is today, they began to open up characters like Shang-Chi, Master of Kung Fu. In fact, Iron Fist was used to introduce the world to a whole crowd of males and females of color. These titles, instead of reinforcing the hate, were opening young minds up to other cultures in cool and interesting ways. And, it worked. Here we are decades later getting all excited about Doctor Strange and Iron Fist finally coming to the a screen near you!
So was it 'white washing'? From the very lips of Tilda Swinton:
“Well, it’s not actually an Asian character — that’s what I need to tell you about it. I wasn’t asked to play an Asian character, you can be very well assured of that… You just have to wait and see, because it’s not an Asian character.”
NOT AN ASIAN CHARACTER? So where in the world did Strange get his training from? Hells Kitchen? THAT is washing over ancient cultures that Marvel is trying open up young minds to. Instead of traveling via movie magic to Tibet, we're going...who knows were. So, not only are we changing the casting to a non-Asian, we are totally writing the ancient heritage alltogether? Unbelievable.
Now, news is that Marvel is skirting the whole Asian issue by stating this:
"Marvel has a very strong record of diversity in its casting of films and regularly departs from stereotypes and source material to bring its MCU to life. The Ancient One is a title that is not exclusively held by any one character, but rather a moniker passed down through time, and in this particular film the embodiment is Celtic. We are very proud to have the enormously talented Tilda Swinton portray this unique and complex character alongside our richly diverse cast."
That's right. CELTIC.
And WAIT till you hear why...and, as you may guess, it has to do with cash. It seems, in this age of the Comic Movie boom, the biggest voice in the argument is CHINA. That's right, China! Apparently to even mention Tibet as its own country will set off the Chinese government who could, in turn, refuse to show the movie in (and I quote) 'the biggest film watching country in the world'. We have come to an age where the source material which was written in the good ole USA is being cut apart by the Communist Chinese government!
And, to make things worse, the writer, Cargill, blames us for our racist and backward views.
"YOU (He means us) risk alienating one billion people who think that's bullshit"
Nice! What have we become? I understand money is at stake here, but we're also in danger of having to bend over backwards for a country who could care less about OUR culture and the source material that made Doctor Strange an icon in young minds and made this movie possible. After Marvel took chances with material that may or may not have scored big with their fans back in the 70s, but opened up the world to them, the home of said culture is now stonewalling said content.
And Marvel and their representatives preach to us how racist we are for wanting the source material; all the while knowing that their real reason for backing off of Tibet is losing the Chinese market aka cash money. If you didn't try and justify your actions by shaming us and just own up to the money issue, I'd respect that. But you don't. You blame the fans and old school Marvel's apparent racism (just stop) and give in to China because of the bottom line: CASH.
Now, mind you, I will STILL go and see the movie. And that is where I fail. I've waited too long for this to come into existence to boycott anything. It still doesn't comfort me in the fact that China has become the standard from which movies are being made. THANK GOD, Fox didn't back down with Deadpool! And it was an amazing hit without it! I just hope this kind of thinking doesn't censor the hopes and dreams of comic book fans who have been rejoicing the coming of such great comic franchises.
