Cross-ethnic casting discussed in private conversation
8 reported
A recent article on Marginal Revolution discusses cross-ethnic casting in film and theater, citing examples such as Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra, Dev Patel as David Copperfield, Denzel Washington as Macbeth, and black and Latino actors playing white parts in Hamilton. The author notes that Morgan Freeman playing God is a conscious choice, and Jessye Norman performed traditionally white roles in opera. The article mentions a private conversation in which the author suggested Nabeel Qureshi be cast as the next James Bond, citing his British accent, northern English birth, height, and appearance. The author contrasts this with the idea of a black Bond, which they describe as potentially dull and cliched, while a Bond of Pakistani ethnic origin would occasion debate. The author acknowledges that cross-ethnic casting does not always work, giving examples such as a hypothetical all-Chinese remake of Zulu or casting a Liverpudlian as a London elite, and notes that actors in The Sopranos should fit their roles.
What’s reported
The article discusses cross-ethnic casting in film and theater.
Examples cited include Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra, Dev Patel as David Copperfield, Denzel Washington as Macbeth, and black and Latino actors in Hamilton.
Morgan Freeman playing God is described as a conscious choice.
Jessye Norman performed traditionally white roles in opera.
The author privately suggested Nabeel Qureshi as the next James Bond, citing his British accent, northern English birth, height, and appearance.
The author contrasts a Bond of Pakistani ethnic origin with a black Bond, which they say would likely be dull and cliched.
The author says cross-ethnic casting does not always work, giving examples of an all-Chinese Zulu remake or a Liverpudlian playing a London elite.
The author notes that actors in The Sopranos should fit their roles.
Key figures
Elizabeth Taylor (actress, played Cleopatra)
Dev Patel (actor, played David Copperfield)
Denzel Washington (actor, played Macbeth)
Morgan Freeman (actor, played God)
Jessye Norman (opera singer)
Nabeel Qureshi (suggested for James Bond role)
Roger Moore (actor, mentioned as comparison)
Sources: marginalrevolution.com
