Movies

Trailer for Ben-Hur [BNHUR] Oleg Max Mar 16, 09:11

So the Arabian dude is now a black guy? Let's hear the 'diversity' crowd defend that one. {nm} hyperzeitgeist Mar 16, 09:25

instead of a white british guy? {nm} Moviesnob Mar 16, 09:38

That was the 50's. What's the excuse now: No actors of Middle Eastern ethnicity in Hollywood? {nm} hyperzeitgeist Mar 16, 10:24

so it was ok in the 1950's? You can be black and be from the middle east. {nm} Moviesnob Mar 16, 10:42

Yeah, when Hollywood needs a 'Moor', Morgan Freeman is definitely the 'go to' guy ;p {nm} hyperzeitgeist Mar 16, 10:53

I think snob is talking about 2016, with the casting of Jack Huston in the title role {nm} Roger More Mar 16, 10:44

No, I'm pretty sure he was talking about Finlay Currie who plays Balthasar who is now played by Morgan Freeman.Two wrongs don't make a right hyperzeitgeist Mar 16, 10:49

(Morgan Freeman is playing Ilderim) All I'll say is basically what Ridley Scott said when making EXODU - it's hard to get financing for a Roger More Mar 16, 10:56

Same character, they've just reverted back to the name in the book. I take your point about financing though... hyperzeitgeist Mar 16, 11:14

Freeman is the go-to actor for "wise mentor" roles. LEGO, OBLVN, the Nolan Batman films, the Bruce Almighty films, SUMFR, etc Roger More Mar 16, 11:19

You're right, they are different characters. I think Moviesnob was alluding to the Welshman NOT the Scotsman, as I erroneously stated... hyperzeitgeist Mar 16, 11:26

Maybe. But regardless, I think if you're going to make a point about MFREE's casting, you have to do the same for JHUST too. {nm} Roger More Mar 16, 11:40

Agreed. Although given a choice I wouldn't cast JHUST in anything :D {nm} hyperzeitgeist Mar 16, 11:56

You've never seen a medieval painting of Balthazar, have you? CG63 Mar 16, 22:08

and really how hard is it to pull actors from the respective countries nowadays?...or dig through foreign films for casting ideas? {nm} tealfan Mar 16, 12:17

Meh, but in fairness I've been tired of the entire sword and sandal epics genre for a decade now. {nm} shadowking Mar 16, 09:27

This absolutely CAN'T be worse than GOEGP, so I'll be seeing this {nm} eallensbp Mar 16, 09:33