Why are Indian actors being cast in Aladdin?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why then are Indian actors being considered?

Because white Hollywood can't tell the difference. Hollywood is notoriously color-blind that they can't tell the difference between anything other than European stock.

"European stock" is just as diverse as muslim people.

Besides, there are a lot of muslims in India...

[Anonymous]

OP have you ever considered the entirely possible reason is that the actor cast was the most talented who auditioned and whose singing voice was best suited for the Alladin score?

[Anonymous]

Assume there is money behind this decision. India is a huge movie market, hence casting an Indian is a more profitable decision. It is always about money.

[Anonymous]

OP are you simiarly outraged by Lin Manuel Miranda being cast as Jack in Mary Poppins Returns?

I mean he is clearly not Anglo or British. He is a New Yorker for goodness sakes!

And what about all those white Brits being cast as Americans?

[Anonymous]

The original Aladdin story is actually set in China.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Antonio Banderas has played an Arab, a Mexican, a Chilean, a Spaniard and an American. Do people have a problem with that?

Exactly. Take a look at Ben Kingsley's range. He's of Indian descent, yet has played a Brit, an Egyptian, a German Jew, and yes - an Indian (Gandhi).

What difference does it make, as long as an actor or actress can look and act the part? That's why it's called *acting.*

[Anonymous]

Forgot to include the link ^^^

http://nypost.com/2015/07/18/ben-kingsley-can-play-just-about-any-ethnicity/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:South Asians, Persians and Arabs are distinctly different people with different cultures religions and physical features.

Indians do NOT look Arab. Arabs would be very insulted by that.

Arabs do NOT look Indian. Indians would be insulted by that.

Yes, they would both be insulted either way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Antonio Banderas has played an Arab, a Mexican, a Chilean, a Spaniard and an American. Do people have a problem with that?

Exactly. Take a look at Ben Kingsley's range. He's of Indian descent, yet has played a Brit, an Egyptian, a German Jew, and yes - an Indian (Gandhi).

What difference does it make, as long as an actor or actress can look and act the part? That's why it's called *acting.*

I think the point is that there are tons of rolls for Caucasian people and there aren't as many for people of Arabic and Indian and other Middle Eastern descent. It would be nice if those roles could go to those actors when the opportunity arises. Don't you think?

And it does show kind of eurocentrism to think that Indians are interchangeable with other people of Middle Eastern descent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Assume there is money behind this decision. India is a huge movie market, hence casting an Indian is a more profitable decision. It is always about money.

You know, I agree on the racism, but totally agree on this point. They're not mutually exclusive either.

[Anonymous]

Hey y'all. I totally understand the frustration about Disney picking a South Asian actor, were it true. But it isn't true. Let's turn down the outrage for a half sec, since they cast Mena Massoud, a Coptic Egyptian, in the title role.

http://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/movies/a10312219/disney-live-action-aladdin-cast/

[Anonymous]

If you want to freak out, Will Smith is playing the genie.

I personally am not planning to freak out. Personally.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP are you simiarly outraged by Lin Manuel Miranda being cast as Jack in Mary Poppins Returns?

I mean he is clearly not Anglo or British. He is a New Yorker for goodness sakes!

And what about all those white Brits being cast as Americans?

What about the creative-license casting in "Hamilton" in general, for which it has been applauded ad nauseam?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is it. I am done.

Aladdin is a famous tale from the Middle East. Casting an Indian kid in the biggest Western backed retelling of this classic Muslim tale is a slap in the face of the thousands of Muslims worldwide. It was such a pivotal moment in pop culture history, to have this movie be made now with the geopolitical context of today. An Arab-American actor in the lead was not bring authenticity and understanding to this classic tale of a poor muslim boy who encounters a Jinn but also send a powerful message in cultural diplomacy by having a positive image of a Muslim in pop-culture.

I am appalled and deeply saddened. We are not even allowed to tell our own tales!

Brown people are slowly making their way onto the big screen and into popular culture. Be patient. You already have Aziz and now Hasan Minaj.

Because they're Indian, duh!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:South Asians, Persians and Arabs are distinctly different people with different cultures religions and physical features.

Indians do NOT look Arab. Arabs would be very insulted by that.

I hope Arabs are also offended and insulted every time an Indian person gets killed in this country because the white person that kills them thinks their Arab. And every time an Indian is verbally harassed for being a 'terrorist'.

That has happened A LOT since 9/11.

Please be more vocal with your outrage about how insulted you are by the mix up every time that happens. Please demand they don't ignorantly confuse an Indian for an Arab when they go on a killing spree.

I love you.