I saw the trailer above, courtesy of the fine people at Absolutely Fobulous. They are making a Green Hornet movie starring Seth Rogen. Some guy from Taiwan named Jay Chou is playing Kato, the Green Hornet’s sidekick–some of you Bruce Lee fans know that Bruce was the original Kato in the TV series.
Let me just say that I’m happy this Chou dude is getting a role in a big money American film. I remember his name floating around on several message boards way back when, mostly from the women. The funniest exchange was on the 44s when one woman said, “I was so close to Jay Chou at the concert that I could see the sweat dripping from his abs.” A guy replied, “I guess it’s fitting that his last name is Chou.” (A play on words which referenced the Chinese word for “stink.” Haha…his name doesn’t mean that though.) While I and many other guys personally didn’t understand the appeal, I support our brothas overseas when they make headway in Hollywood. Diversity is good.
However–they should’ve given this role to an Asian American actor. There is no shortage of Asian American actors who would have loved to play this role, even if it flops (which it most likely will). They shoulda kept this one in-house. According to some news I dug up on Google, they were originally going to give it to Stephen Chow, and then they decided on Chou rather than Chow. It doesn’t look like any Asian American actor made the shortlist.
There are two reasons why they should’ve kept this one in-house. First, the industry needs to support Asian American actors. Stephen and Jay already have big careers in Asia. Meanwhile, our homegrown actors struggle just to put food on the table while Jackie, Jet, Chow (Yun Fat), and others shoot to the top ahead of them. Yes, it’s affirmative action to give preference to the home team, but how can our peeps compete when no one ever gives them a shot?
Second, the dude in the trailer above can’t speak English, and his acting looks terrible. Roger, Sung, or the boys at Wong Fu could’ve easily outacted and outspoken this guy. Again, don’t get me wrong, Jay, I think it’s great that you’re getting exposure and are learning a new language (as we watch), but if the point is to make a strong character, why not bring some home grown talent who can enunciate a powerful persona for the home crowd? Someone mentioned that the original Kato had an accent, and that’s fine and dandy, but this is the 21st century! Screenwriters can change the story to make a character more powerful or to give a character a different style. It should be our turn.
I also don’t buy that the argument that they need a big Chinese/Taiwanese star to sell to China. From what I understand, Michelle Kwan and Michael Chang are both big stars in China. Gary Locke got a huge reception when he visited. Give an Asian American brothuh a chance!
Related posts:
But here is an...
I agree with everything you said. About #1…I think...
Years later the exact same masks were dug up by Quentin Tarantino!
http://www.starstore.com/acatalog/crazy_88_figures_L.jpg
Pingback: My Favorite New Japanese Pop Band is White | bigWOWO
Agreed, Jaehwan. I guess the silver lining is that they didn’t cast Jake Gyllenhaal (http://www.cnn.com/2010/SHOWBIZ/Movies/06/18/color.blind.casting/?hpt=C2).
That being said, it looks like Jay Chou is a pretty big star in Asia (understatement?). I wonder if part of the decision making involved some sort of profit math by tapping into the Jay Chou fan market.
What I don’t understand is the casting of Seth Rogen. He’s not exactly who I think of when I picture an ass kicking vigilante.
I agree. They may have trying to tap his already existing fan base.
But the dude can’t act! At least not in English! Let’s give a capable brother a chance!
I agree. I guess money talks…
How are Asian American actors doing on the indie scene? I’m not familiar at all.
I think most asian americans wouldnt be offered this part because studios just want a yellowface who just does the kung fu and not necessarily speak good english. its just part of the continued stereotype of making the yellow man the assistant to the white man, and enforcing the kung fu thing. i dont think most decent asian american actors would agree to the kung fu role. they are too busy focusing on their acting. at the time i imagine bruce had to take the role because he had to pay the bills…and as he states in the green hornet edition, feed his new born baby, brandon.
When Bruce Lee did Kato, the fact that he was onscreen alone was groundbreaking. Now it’s just old.
Is it just me or does that guy look alot like John cho from harold and kumar. He would have been perfect for the part
I just came from the movie and he did an awesome part playing the role of Kato. Also it isn’t much of an American role when there is only one head character that is American (Cameron Diaz).
Bigwowo, you are SO not Asian (or Chinese). How do I know this? You had no idea who Jay Chou is! Sorry to say, but that is pathetic. If you were sixty, I’d maybe forgive you, but you’re not. I had previously referred to you with the term banana, but my worst fears have been confirmed.
In Asian media circles–Jay Chou is considered to be UGLY. He is UGLY. And he can’t speak English for crap either…so I’m not quite certain what they were looking for when casting the part.
I’m not quite certain what they were looking for when casting the part.
how’s about money and returns on their project?
which is why Asians have to vote with their money and also boycott racist haolewood media
I’m not sure I’m understanding the explanation of why some asians think this guy shouldn’t have been cast. In any case I’ll say that I was very glad to see an asian male cast in this film, and I’ve always been bothered by the lack of them in American TV and film. Asian females are often cast, and almost always with a non-asian love interest. The few times an asian male is cast (particularly on American TV) he is rarely shown with a love interest. Yet the total opposite is true for their asian female counterparts. Medical shows for some reason are fixated on featuring asian female characters…even if it’s just a one-time appearance, and she will ALWAYS be with a non-asian partner.
I haven’t seen Green Hornet, but at least it doesn’t seem like another (yawn) action film with an asian male doing martial arts. I just hope we see more asian males in American TV and film, and with a love interest (maybe even a NON asian one?) as well!