Connie nielson and Harry lennix up for roles in MOS

Apologist Puncher wrote:I'm making a prediction:

Harry Lennix is up for the Perry White role.

BHoward wrote:I doubt that

thecolorsblend wrote:That wouldn't surprise me. Thought he looked sort of young for the role but Wiki says he's 46. Hmm. He was a different type of uptight asshole in the Matrix movies... but still an uptight asshole. Put a little heart into it and, yeah, I could see it. No, he ain't Dan Lauria but I could still see it.

webhead2006 wrote:would be strange to see them take a very iconic character like perry and change race. not that it isnt possible. other films/shows have done things like that. But when there is a bunch of pretty good black dc characters to use and some from the superman world. Would be odd not to at least use one of them.

Apologist Puncher wrote:

BHoward wrote:I doubt that

Based on what, exactly?

BHoward wrote:Just my personal opinion. I like Lennix, outside of race, he could be a perfect actor for Perry White. Pointless to change a character's race that has been around for so long. I know it was done with Kingpin, just don't see it being done here. Just a feeling.

webhead2006 wrote:i didnt mean wierd like that ap. i like i said know film/tv have done changes like that for adaptions of books/etc... i was just saying would be strange to see them choose to go with a black actor for perry. When there is probably tons of good white actors who could fill the role nicely. And like i said there is a handful of black characters from superman comics that would be nice to see make an appearance in the film.

BHoward wrote:Its obvious that WB changed the character of Pete Ross to provide the show with its black character to fill some sort of quota, along the part-Asian Lana Lang. As a black man I was offended by that. While I don't think hiring Lennix to play PW is the same kind of tokenism, I'd like to think that if that is the character he is playing, he's just that good of an actor and won the job. I wouldn't look at this as the same situation. I can see why the network would want to add some "flavor" to an ongoing series, whereas this motion picture wouldn't need that to capture "the Black audience". There are plenty of us who will see a Superman movie without having to have a black actor as a major character. I just don't see Snyder or Nolan making this character change just for general purpose. They are not Singer wanting a gay Jimmy Olsen.

BHoward wrote:Regardless of the reason, either character being black was pointless. I understand the network trying to have a diverse cast, but changing or creating a character just to fit or entice a demographic is ridiculous.

IS THOMAS JANE TOO WHITE FOR HEADSHOT?
by Todd Brown, June 13, 2011 12:37 PM


It looked like a pretty perfect matchup. Back in April actor Thomas Jane let spill on a JoBlo podcast that he had been cast opposite Sylvester Stallone in the Walter Hill directed Headshot. Fans were happy, Jane was happy, Stallone and Hill were reportedly happy so nothing could go wrong, right?

Well, it looks like something has and that something is the color of Jane's skin.

The first sign that something was up was the simple fact that although Jane talked about being on board there was never an official announcement. Just silence. And then producer Joel Silver came out talking about how he wanted to make the core partnership in the film some sort of mixed-race affair to broaden out the film's appeal as wide as possible. And it would appear he's done just that.

Though nobody is saying for sure what the character being played will be, it has just been announced that Fast And Furious franchise star Sung Kang has joined the film and the widespread belief is that Kang now has the co-lead part originally offered to Jane.

Now, don't get me wrong here, the lack of decent roles available to minorities in Hollywood - and I would say especially to Asians in Hollywood - is shocking and completely misrepresents the actual cultural makeup of the country. There are a lot of talented people out there who deserve a shot and a lot of stories that really deserve to be told. So I certainly don't begrudge Kang the opportunity to star in a major film like this. It's good for him and good for the industry as a whole. It just kind of stings that it appears to be coming at the expense of Jane, who is a great actor who has been stuck doing work well below his potential for a good long time now. I had hoped this would be a break out part for him but apparently not. Sigh.

BHoward wrote:Its obvious that WB changed the character of Pete Ross to provide the show with its black character to fill some sort of quota, along the part-Asian Lana Lang. As a black man I was offended by that. While I don't think hiring Lennix to play PW is the same kind of tokenism, I'd like to think that if that is the character he is playing, he's just that good of an actor and won the job. I wouldn't look at this as the same situation. I can see why the network would want to add some "flavor" to an ongoing series, whereas this motion picture wouldn't need that to capture "the Black audience". There are plenty of us who will see a Superman movie without having to have a black actor as a major character. I just don't see Snyder or Nolan making this character change just for general purpose. They are not Singer wanting a gay Jimmy Olsen.

Apologist Puncher wrote:

BHoward wrote:Its obvious that WB changed the character of Pete Ross to provide the show with its black character to fill some sort of quota, along the part-Asian Lana Lang. As a black man I was offended by that. While I don't think hiring Lennix to play PW is the same kind of tokenism, I'd like to think that if that is the character he is playing, he's just that good of an actor and won the job. I wouldn't look at this as the same situation. I can see why the network would want to add some "flavor" to an ongoing series, whereas this motion picture wouldn't need that to capture "the Black audience". There are plenty of us who will see a Superman movie without having to have a black actor as a major character. I just don't see Snyder or Nolan making this character change just for general purpose. They are not Singer wanting a gay Jimmy Olsen.

Have you seen Lennix act? I'd say his character was the ONLY one who was consistent from his first appearance all the way to his last in the 'Matrix' sequels. And he was VERY 'Perry White"-ish in that role too.

So no, it wasn't about him being a "token" ANYTHING.

BHoward wrote:Yes I have, before he was in Matrix, he was mostly known for his role in "Five Heartbeats". A "black classic". He's a great actor. I agree his casting wouldn't be tokenism, just a great actor getting a job. There's just no point in changing the characters race though just to fit him in the movie.

I cant rationalize why they would hire Lennix for Perry.

webhead2006 wrote:another thought what if lennix role is just some made up for film role, or a government role like mayor of city, a senator, police role etc....?

Apologist Puncher wrote:

webhead2006 wrote:another thought what if lennix role is just some made up for film role, or a government role like mayor of city, a senator, police role etc....?

Why would they even mention it, if that was the case?