Why Marvel’s Success with Black Panther Renders All Excuses Moot
An open letter to Marvel Comics. I watched Captain America: Civil War Friday and I have to say it really is a contender for the greatest superhero movie ever. Kudos to you. Tom Holland is Spiderman. Great casting choice and for media outlets that was the big story. Yet within that fantastical world known as black twitter all the black nerds were goo-goo’d eye over Chadwick Boseman and his scene stealing turn as the Black Panther. Quite frankly Marvel, you nailed it. The Black Panther is everything we as fans wanted and more. The story surrounding the character was spot on. Boseman’s portrayal was perfect. The logic made sense. I mean honestly we felt you guys would try to do a good job and your track record with adapting your characters to screen was top notch but as always with black folk there was always that sliver of fear. You could nearly hear all the blerds praying to the blerd gods please don’t let Black Panther suck. Prayers answered. You guys did it! Kudos to you Marvel and unfortunately for you, there lies the problem.
Let’s rewind things back a little. For the last couple of weeks leading up to your triumphant release of Civil War the internet was ablaze with stories of people who were not at all happy with you. Unfortunately, you’d release the very exciting looking teaser trailer for Doctor Strange and unfortunately you got blasted for one casting choice in particular; Tilda Swinton. You see Marvel you cast the very skilled actress as The Ancient One, the titular character that trains Stephen Strange and launches his career as the Sorcerer Supreme. In the comics the Ancient One is a man, an Asian man, that you decided to cast as a white woman. Cue up the white washing anger. Immediately Asian fans felt slighted and openly complained about the white washing of any character of Asian descent. With the vitriol bubbling on the currents of the internet you went into damage control. Writer C. Robert Cargill went on one of my favorite shows https://youtu.be/eEpbUf8dGq0 to explain the logic behind Swinton’s casting. Long story short it kind of hinges on the fact that the character, who was created in the 1960’s, dwells in cringe worthy racial stereotype and the fear of being offensive to specific racial groups.
Valid point. Here’s why that excuse is a complete and utter failure. You succeeded. You created the perfect representation of one of the most beloved (and first) black superheroes. You unfortunately proved that you can represent your characters who may have had some dubious back stories in the past in a powerful and respectful manner. You guys put so much care, attention to detail, and heart into your representation of Black Panther (and to an extent Mike Colter’s Luke Cage) that the issues you feared would come with the casting of the Ancient One are completely unfounded. Why? Because you are Marvel Entertainment and you could have casted ANY person of Asian descent as the Ancient One and nailed it. Sorry Marvel. You did this to yourself. You could have easily crapped out a singing, rhyming, cooning version of your black characters. You did not. You went the opposite direction. You chose quality. You chose to put your best foot forward. You nailed it. You won. You have absolutely no excuse. Tilda Swinton is a fine actress. I’m sure her Ancient One will be great. You could have easily casted an Asian actor or actress. No question. You have writers that care and are unquestionably skilled at their craft. Meaning they could have easily navigated the racial minefield of the Ancient One’s representations and made something special. So what’s the answer? Swinton is cast. Just own the mistake, apologize, move on, and when you produce Iron Fist, cast the hell out of Shang Chi the Master of Kung Fu and make sure you produce him with a story line as well-crafted and thought out as T’Challa’s. You owe our Asian brothers that much and we know you can do it.
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