Comic Culture Warrior: Issue #8 - Part One

[Legitbusiness1182]

Will smith as captain america would be very stupid..and im black, but it doesnt work with the universe and mythology of the character. Historically a black man could never play captain america, maybe another character from the same universe but not Stever Rogers.

[comicculturewarrior]

So you must think that a black Nick Fury, like the one in the Ultimate books, is pretty dumb too. Fury was white for decades, so why change the character, eh? Cuz lord knows we don't have enough white heroes. LOL!

Elliott

[Legitbusiness1182]

Ok so do me a big favor. break down how you would do a Captian America movie with a black actor. Please break down the whole film. This i gotta hear. and im black..

[j0nb0y5]

how about the fact will smith is 41? i think cap should be played by someone younger.

[Tetsuothegreat]

What would bug me about will smith is that he has the same problem keanu reeves has. When they do blockbuster films they go into their own persona as opposed to playing a character whereas when they do more serious and dramatic films they will rise up to the occasion and do really outstanding performances. But if smith were to do captain america it'd be another blockbuster role and all you'd have is hitch in a captain america uniform as opposed to a performance on level with Ali.

[comicculturewarrior]

See, now that's an argument I can buy. Not saying I agree, but at least it makes sense. Thanks Tetsuo,

Elliott

[randysiplon]

Did you guys ever think it could be because Will Smith sucks as an actor and not some vast right-wing conspiracy. And Jose, comparing this to the election is a bit of a stretch even for a hippie like you.

[comicculturewarrior]

Well, to refute your argument about Mr. Smith's acting ability I'll just point to his 2 Academy Award nominations. While I'll agree that he doesn't appeal to everyone, the guy does bring it in the box office. Even Hancock, which many comic fans have derided, made a lot of money based on his name.

I'll let Jose address the 'hippie' comment, which amuses me to no end.

Elliott

[facefacts911]

Well, Nicolas Cage actually has an Oscar, and he's probably one of the worst actors of all time? Have you seen Ghost Rider? Be honest Elliot, do you really see Will Smith as Cap?

[comicculturewarrior]

Hey Face,

I could see Will Smith as Cap, given he gets a director that really pulls the right performance out of him. True, Nic Cage nhas won an AA as well, but even he'll admit that he does commercial pablum to make money and then do the 'artistic' films for the 'craft' of acting.

I'll give it to you though, Face, in making a somewhat palpable argument.

Elliott

[smallmaniac]

Honestly, I don't think a black person should play Steve Rogers. My reason is that comic book fans, since the first comic book movies, have wanted their favorite characters to act and look like the comic books, and that is just fine. You can't compare someone who doesn't want a black man to play Cap to someone who doesn't want a black man to be president. Cap is already established, a president is not. The comic book is a visual art form and should be emulated, not changed for diversity's sake.

[comicculturewarrior]

What did you think about Nick Fury being re-imagined as a black man in Ultimates? What if they did the same with Steve Rogers in the comics as well? Would that make it acceptable then? Let's face it, the characters in comics have never remained the same, they've always changed and evolved. What if the next step in evolution of the character of Captain America was to become a minority, would you object? Comic books are art, and art imitates life, and life is all about change.

[kyojames19]

i would agree a black man can play captain america but not as steve rogers...if they evolve then make up a new character to fill in the boots of the former hero...nick fury was re-imagined in the ultimates not all away across the board...in the main line he is still white...why didn't they chagne him across the board....??

[smallmaniac]

I would have no problem with a black Captain America just so long as its not in the main continuity, such as how the black Fury is in the Ultimates universe. I think it would be wrong to make Steve Rogers black though(if it were another man with the same name, i would understand). Though comic books are about change, they do owe a lot to the tradition of their characters. I personally don't think race or "minority" exists, or should exist, truthfully speaking. But I'm also a traditional person.

[kyojames19]

that is why...superman is still Clark Kent...because the people want him...when he died they made 3 other supermen...it didn't sat well with the readers...like when batman broke his back and they replace him...the guy went bad...why..the readers could see someone else play him. the day when the top superheros...die or retire...and get replaced..is when the readers..will like the idea of changing the face of one of the top heroes

[comicculturewarrior]

Dean Cain was part Japanese and played Superman. Catwoman has been cast as both a white and black woman on television. Tell me why, outside of the color of his skin, why Will Smith can't play Steve Rogers.

Elliott

[kyojames19]

dean cain might be part japanese but he still looks white...and catwoman is a secondary character...and both are tv shows not movies....catwoman as a black woman on tv was a guest apperance not the main character...and catwoman in the movies was not the same character....

[kyojames19]

dude...come on just because i want Steve Rogers to be played by a white man doesn't make racist...it's just how i see...the character......

[comicculturewarrior]

Hm. You see Steve Rogers as a white man, not as a comic book character that can grow, evolve and change.

I don't know what to think about that.

Elliott

[kyojames19]

Steve Rogers is a white man in the comics...now if they make the new captian america black and gave him a good story i would not mind...but steve rogers as a black man i just don't see it...even if it is will smith...

[LordBifford]

You must also remember that in the 1940s, the military was segregated and blacks were generally give low-level roles. Would the US government have invested as much in Steve Rogers if he was black?