White Male Lead: Difference between revisions
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* Averted in many martial arts films, especially those starring [[Bruce Lee]], [[Jackie Chan]], and [[Jet Li]]. The martial arts genre is perhaps the only genre in which a large number of films with Asian leads found success in the United States. |
* Averted in many martial arts films, especially those starring [[Bruce Lee]], [[Jackie Chan]], and [[Jet Li]]. The martial arts genre is perhaps the only genre in which a large number of films with Asian leads found success in the United States. |
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** ''[[The Forbidden Kingdom]]'' takes place in ancient China, but its lead is a white male from the present day. [[wikipedia:The Forbidden Kingdom#Critical reception|One reviewer]] said "As a Hollywood blockbuster, ''The Forbidden Kingdom'' offers no apologies for its American-centrism. In fact, it wears it with pride like a badge of honor." It was star [[Jackie Chan]]'s own idea that the protagonist be a white kid, precisely to attract interest in the West for what was basically a [[Wire Fu]] movie. This example is unusual in that the White Male Lead is not featured prominently in any of the advertising. The purpose of a White Male Lead in a movie with a minority-heavy cast is usually to attract white audiences, but as mentioned above, [[Jackie Chan]] and [[Jet Li]] movies usually do not have this problem. |
** ''[[The Forbidden Kingdom]]'' takes place in ancient China, but its lead is a white male from the present day. [[wikipedia:The Forbidden Kingdom#Critical reception|One reviewer]] said "As a Hollywood blockbuster, ''The Forbidden Kingdom'' offers no apologies for its American-centrism. In fact, it wears it with pride like a badge of honor." It was star [[Jackie Chan]]'s own idea that the protagonist be a white kid, precisely to attract interest in the West for what was basically a [[Wire Fu]] movie. This example is unusual in that the White Male Lead is not featured prominently in any of the advertising. The purpose of a White Male Lead in a movie with a minority-heavy cast is usually to attract white audiences, but as mentioned above, [[Jackie Chan]] and [[Jet Li]] movies usually do not have this problem. |
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* Universal has planned a film based on the Japanese historical legend of the 47 Ronin starring... [http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118033107?haasFormId=98003e0c-be4d-4ba0-886d-07c949a13db8&haasPage=0 Keanu Reeves]. Arguably a [[Subverted Trope|subversion]], since [[Keanu Reeves]] ''is'' half-Asian. In fact, Keanu tends to play this role a lot—a generic-looking blank that is easy for audience members to project themselves onto (even if this doesn't speak well of his acting ability). |
* Universal has planned a film based on the Japanese historical legend of the 47 Ronin starring... [https://web.archive.org/web/20110310103621/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118033107?haasFormId=98003e0c-be4d-4ba0-886d-07c949a13db8&haasPage=0 Keanu Reeves]. Arguably a [[Subverted Trope|subversion]], since [[Keanu Reeves]] ''is'' half-Asian. In fact, Keanu tends to play this role a lot—a generic-looking blank that is easy for audience members to project themselves onto (even if this doesn't speak well of his acting ability). |
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* ''[[The Last Airbender]]'' is an example of a White Male Lead born from a [[Race Lift]]ed character from the source material. |
* ''[[The Last Airbender]]'' is an example of a White Male Lead born from a [[Race Lift]]ed character from the source material. |
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* ''Come See the Paradise'' is a story about Japanese internment camps centered on Dennis Quaid. |
* ''Come See the Paradise'' is a story about Japanese internment camps centered on Dennis Quaid. |
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