How about a white Miles Morales?

Race doesn't matter remember?

Editorial Opinion
By VIRILEMAN - Feb 23, 2015 10:02 AM EST
Filed Under: Comics

So I've been thinking lately, if race really doesn't matter unless it matters to the story then why haven't I seen any casting suggestions for an Asian Miles? Anyone who has read the comics knows his race has nothing to do with the story.  I'll tell you why. Because race DOES matter. People just don't like to admit it because no wants to be called racist. It's considered racist to want only a white actor to play a white character but not when you only want a black actor to play a black character? Here's were I stand. Cast some one who looks like the character. I don't care what race they are as long s they look like the character. And believe it or not skin color is a part of how we look. You find me a really dark skinned Greek guy who looks like and can play Blade the vampire hunter? Sign me up. You find me a Jewish kid who looks just like the Peter Parker from the comics? I'm good to go. You find a Native American (which I am) who has lighter skin and the right hair who looks like Superman and can act to play Kal-El? No problem. But don't try to cast a guy who looks nothing like Johnny Storm or a white Miles Morales and tell me it's fine. Race doesn't matter, what the character and actor playing that character look like does.

Why give Robert Downey Jr. facial hair in the Iron Man movies? So he can look more like Tony Stark. Why cast a light skinned guy to play Peter Parker and a dark skinned guy to play Miles? So they actually look like the characters. It's that simple. You don't cast a skinny guy to play Kingpin and you don't cast a fat guy to play Spidey.

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RextheKing
RextheKing - 2/23/2015, 10:57 AM
Even though I'm on the side that is not to keen on race changes, for my own particular reasons that I won't be going into, I really want these articles to stop. I do get your point, the physical look of a character is important, but this is one of the weaker things to gripe about with race changes. It's not like casting a skinny guy for Kingpin; if race isn't all that essential to the character's origin then the main focus in casting should be getting someone who can embody the character's personality, regardless of race. My problem with race changes though lies within that, but again I won't be going into it once again.
soms
soms - 2/23/2015, 11:27 AM
"You find me a Jewish kid who looks just like the Peter Parker from the comics?"

Excuse me, Logan Lerman is 100% Jewish. Andrew Garfield is Jewish, too. And I could go on and on with Anton Yelchin (Jewish), Alden Ehrenreich (Jewish), Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Jewish), and probably others.

So don't treat this as some weird impossibility, when half the people on this site forecast Jews to play Peter.
MarkyMarkRises
MarkyMarkRises - 2/23/2015, 11:35 AM
godamnit race does matter, nobody wants a black peter parker......right?
MarkyMarkRises
MarkyMarkRises - 2/23/2015, 11:49 AM
@MexicanSuperman

those are fans/movie goers who are blindfolded by the studios' claim that diversity only means more black people. Homosexuals, transexuals, latinos, religious individuals outside of Christianity, atheists, foreigners outside the United States, etc., all need to be the protagonists every once in a while in American movies not just because of equality, but because of cinematic diversity (something we don't see much of today).
NovaCorpsFan
NovaCorpsFan - 2/23/2015, 12:12 PM
TheNameIsBetty
TheNameIsBetty - 2/23/2015, 12:24 PM
It's not about whether or not race matters, it's about staying true to the character and not making UNNECESSARY changes. Changing Miles Morales' race is not necessary, for instance.
McGee
McGee - 2/23/2015, 12:27 PM
I'm cool with it if you guys are cool.
Odin
Odin - 2/23/2015, 12:29 PM
My dear VIRILEMAN

1) Stop making these [frick]ing articles already, your opinion has been noted...many, many times.

2) There is no universal rule to this matter, each case is individual. Thinking that there is a simple universally valid rule is idiotic.

3) Chaging Spiderman's race doesn't really make sense to me, since there is both black and white incarnation of the character in comics, both loved by fans. Making Peter black or Miles white would be nothing more but trolling the fans. What possibly could be benefit from such changes.
Odin
Odin - 2/23/2015, 12:37 PM
Adding to to my second point; every character doesn't have look that is iconic and/or bears meaning to who character is.
Highflyer
Highflyer - 2/23/2015, 12:58 PM
I think it all depends. I mean, I would rather have Miles Morales that have a black Peter Parker. I don't mind a black Johnny Storm but I think a Black Superman would be dumb.
nibs
nibs - 2/23/2015, 1:16 PM
Damn, the racist virileman is STILL making articles about this?

Yes you can make a white Morales, a black Superman, an Asian Batman, a Native American Thor, a Middle Eastern Punisher, or Russian that is anything but the steroetypical bad guy.

Ask anybody who thinks you can`t why not. "Because, because, because, then its not the exact story I read as a child! it doesn`t FEEL right! I dunno, just don`t do it"

There are no actual real reasons to not change it, we just have sentimental attachment and previously contructed perceptions. Which mean nothing to someone who has never seen/read the stories before. Absolutely nothing.

If you saw an Asian Superman and said "that's not MY superman" then ask yourself why not. Is there a real reason that isn't based on stereotypes? I doubt it.
MrCBM56
MrCBM56 - 2/23/2015, 1:23 PM
Does race matter? YES. But it's 'bout damn time we understand films will take liberties. Unless it's severely [frick]ing deviated from whichever source you most likely won't see me complaining.

Especially when I have comics to sustain whatever gripe. That said, I do wish to live in an awesome world where my favorite characters are brought to life... Respectfully.

Byyee
SauronsBANE
SauronsBANE - 2/23/2015, 1:26 PM
Why do you only ever write editorials about race?
HulkOnion
HulkOnion - 2/23/2015, 1:31 PM
Lmao @SauronsBANE it is a little weird.

Ipkinda scary
Are you obsessed with races?
Jk


But really, although diversity is fine to me, this is what I've been saying for a long time.
Change it up a bit one time, okay.
Let's make the Stromtrooper in Star Wars black. That's fine, who cares.
But when young
Go willy hilly changing everybody just for the same of political well being it gets annoying.
HulkOnion
HulkOnion - 2/23/2015, 1:33 PM
For another example, James Bond.

I was totally against Elba playing Bond, but when you realize there was never really a set look for him besides descriptions from books, it wouldn't matter if you changed it for a movie.

Or Human Torch.
When you stray so far from the source, it gets to a point where it doesn't matter. Make Sue Asian and that'd be fine, whatever. You've already screwed with the blue spandex and what not.
SauronsBANE
SauronsBANE - 2/23/2015, 1:34 PM
To get in on this, a subject as complex as this isn't nearly as cut and dry as you'd like it to be. There's so much nuance to this conversation, and it's so reductive to try to make this 100% about one thing or the other. I'm currently on my phone so I'll leave it at that
LEVITIKUZ
LEVITIKUZ - 2/23/2015, 1:37 PM
All I have to say on the matter should Miles be the MCU Spidey or not is this.

Having Miles be the MCU main Spider-Man would be like Zack Snyder having Terry McGuinnis as the DCCU Batman.

The whole point of Miles is he is to carry on the Spider-Man mantle. Having him without showcasing Peter's death or Peter existing ruins the character of Miles.
MrJillyMcBeam
MrJillyMcBeam - 2/23/2015, 2:17 PM
Or we could just have Peter Parker in the MCU and not Miles.
HulkOnion
HulkOnion - 2/23/2015, 2:40 PM
The press release clearly said they are going with Parker though.

They aren't making Peter a black guy
Wannabe
Wannabe - 2/23/2015, 3:26 PM
Give us Peter Parker. It's not worth pushing back T'Challa for Miles when both are relatively unknown. Choosing Miles only rubs salt in the wound.
Brainiac13
Brainiac13 - 2/23/2015, 3:32 PM
All I have to say on the matter should Miles be the MCU Spidey or not is this.

Having Miles be the MCU main Spider-Man would be like Zack Snyder having Terry McGuinnis as the DCCU Batman.

The whole point of Miles is he is to carry on the Spider-Man mantle. Having him without showcasing Peter's death or Peter existing ruins the character of Miles.
TheOverlord
TheOverlord - 2/23/2015, 3:36 PM
Because we haven't had 1,000,000 versions of this character yet. Maybe one day. For now, let's recognize the fact that Miles broke through some stereotype boundaries and make his first cinematic representation reflect that.
WinterSoldier33
WinterSoldier33 - 2/23/2015, 5:18 PM
Idc about race change except certain characters
Batman
superman
peter parker
black panther
Thor


There are others to but those are some main ones
01928401
01928401 - 2/23/2015, 6:25 PM
Good god. Get over yourselves. Especially @MrSotoMan. Jesus, you're really comparing a comic book character to a civil rights legend? He's a huge part of the reason this conversation is even being held and you're throwing his name in a garbage can with a fictional high school kid with super powers. For the record, since you clearly don't get it, Spider-Man has nothing to do with race or racial equality. He is just a person with powers. MLK had EVERYTHING to do with race and racial equality, so he is one of the few cases that does deserve respect in that department.

I said this in @SoulofWakanda's article and I'll say it again here. If you will truly go out of your way to bitch about a studio's casting decision STRICTLY because of race, you are racist. That is the very definition of the word.
gamecreatorjj
gamecreatorjj - 2/23/2015, 6:35 PM
@LEVITIKUZ I don't want to see Miles in the MCU before peter, but using Terry as a comparison is just wrong. Dick Grayson starting out as the Bat would be a more apt comparison, and frankly I would love to see DickBats instead of BruceBats.

Bringing in Miles before Peter, would be like bringing in Scott Lang before Hank Pym...oh wait.
marvel72
marvel72 - 2/23/2015, 6:55 PM
I wonder if the ones excepting race changes for Spider-Man,would except a black Batman.
Forthas
Forthas - 2/23/2015, 7:20 PM
These articles are so ridiculous. I have repeatedly asked if race truly mattered why has it not affected Catwoman who has been protrayed by both black an white actresses. Hell I can't even imagine a white Nick Fury anymore and Perry White in Man of Steel and Idris Elba in Thor have had no effect on the charcter. The world did not end. I am starting to think this is a phsychological response by white people (and those who want to be white) who feel threatened because it symbolizes the end of white privledge when they have to actually compete for roles and earn them based on talent. There are no sacred cows...change is a good thing that is the only way we evolve. The only ones who oppose it are the ones who benefit from not changing which in this case is white people.
CavalierTunes
CavalierTunes - 2/23/2015, 7:28 PM
@Virileman

I'm curious, what was your position when Liam Neeson was cast as Ra's Al Ghul? What about when Tom Hardy was cast as Bane? Did you mind when Lois Lane was re-cast as a redhead in "Man of Steel?" Is it a problem for you that in "The Passion of the Christ" Jesus was played by a white guy, instead of a Middle Eastern guy? Are you upset that Leonardo DaVinci has been portrayed as a straight man in every movie he's been in, when he was very clearly either asexual or gay (and possible a pederast)? Did it bother you that Charlton Heston played Genghis Kahn? Did you mind Jake Gyllenhaal's Prince of Persia?

I'm also curious, were you upset that Rue from "The Hunger Games" and Cho Chang from the "Harry Potter" series weren't cast as white? (It still baffles me that there are people out there who insist that Cho Chang was supposed to be white!)
Fekkius
Fekkius - 2/23/2015, 9:18 PM
Lol @ white people who are still assblasted about Michael B. Jordan playing Johnny Storm.

A white Miles Morales would be wrong because it's more white-washing in a dominantly white industry. Saying that a character's race defines them, only adds to the fact that you're a racist piece of shit.
Mercwitham0uth
Mercwitham0uth - 2/23/2015, 10:23 PM
Miles sucks. Peter Parker 4 life!
01928401
01928401 - 2/24/2015, 6:26 AM
@virileman Shut up. Almost no one sides with you. Racist asshole.
MileHighRonin
MileHighRonin - 2/24/2015, 8:16 AM
Lol, there is racism, and then there is ignorant racism, congratulations you won.

So sick and tired of "cast the character the way he is drawn". If that was the case than bodybuilders and porn stars would be cast.

Miles is a exploitation on ethnicity anyway. I like the character but hate that his last name is Morales yet he seems to have no Hispanic/Latino/Chicano in him, just the name.

Normally I would explain how race change varies from character to character and why. But I can clearly see you are stuck on your train of thought, and to try to convince you other wise would be a waste of time, I would rather chase cars than waste brain cells on ignorance.

I hope Marvel shocks us all and give us Gwen Dpidey, oh wait the "purists" would cry. Anyone who says they are a purist but are ok with Ultimate Nick Fury being in the MCU, oh wait cause it happened in the comics. Colossus was gay in the Ultimate comics as well, would that be ok cause it took place in a book? Also what about the book that has a gay Wolverine and gay Thor, a couple to boot, that took place in a book so that means it's ok. See how easy I can twist that?
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