Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Casting Announcement - Page 3

[best12bars]

Posted: 12/22/15 at 9:35pm

You do realize there are avid fans of the Harry Potter books who don't care for the movies at all, right? Not everyone is locked into that vision or depiction.

 

I happen to like both.

 

For Namo ...

 

 

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 12/22/15 at 10:14pm

Eek, it's vaguely pickaninnyish.

[AHLiebross]

Posted: 12/22/15 at 10:49pm

Best12bars writes: You do realize there are avid fans of the Harry Potter books who don't care for the movies at all, right? Not everyone is locked into that vision or depiction.

I agree there are fans of the books who don't like the HP movies. They're not the problem -- they'll be perfectly happy with anyone who looks like the descriptions in the book (which the new Harry and Ron do not, IMO). The problem is that the movie fans picture the "big 3" as Radcliffe, Grint, and Watson.

I mentioned one possible solution: A quick line or two of dialogue that talks about some magical transformation in appearance -- perhaps a potion gone wrong. Another, at least for Hermione, is to have a disclaimer in the program book saying that this production is not related to the movies, but is intended only as a sequel to the books. It won't work, however, for Ron and Harry because their hair colors ARE described in the book.

Audrey

[mpd4165]

Posted: 12/22/15 at 11:19pm

No explanation is necessary. No justification for this casting is necessary. Done. 

[gypsy101]

Posted: 12/22/15 at 11:32pm

WickedGinger said: "The same would said is the cast a white actor to play Knigsley Shacklebolt or a woman to play professor Dumbledore. I also have a major problem with the casting of Ron. He isn't a red head."

 

Who the hell in Knigsley Shacklebolt? I read the books and I don't recall that character. And since when have only natural redheads been allowed to play redheads in film and theater? Hairdye and wigs both exist.

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 12/22/15 at 11:47pm

I'm sorry, did I really just read that they should explain she's not white because of "a potion gone wrong"? Really? Seriously?

[c0113g3b0y]

Posted: 12/23/15 at 12:10am

gypsy101 said: "WickedGinger said: "The same would said is the cast a white actor to play Knigsley Shacklebolt or a woman to play professor Dumbledore. I also have a major problem with the casting of Ron. He isn't a red head."

 

 

 

Who the hell in Knigsley Shacklebolt? I read the books and I don't recall that character. And since when have only natural redheads been allowed to play redheads in film and theater? Hairdye and wigs both exist.

 

"

Kingsley Shacklebolt is one of the Aurors who is loyal to Dumbledore.

#AHLiebros: take several seats and don't come back in this thread please. your suggestions to tell people why Hermione is black are utterly awful

[AHLiebross]

Posted: 12/23/15 at 3:02am

Come on guys, you're twisting my words. I NEVER said or implied that there should be an explanation why Hermione is BLACK -- I said there should be explanations why all three look so different from before. I also said that Hermione could have, and probably should have been played by a black kid in the movies. However, she wasn't, so now we have a disconnect in appearance between young kid Hermione (Emma Watson) and older woman Hermione.

I don't see what would be wrong with Hermione's saying something like, "That Professor Rockabilly anti-wrinkle potion not only didn't work, it completely changed my face." Her husband, Ron Weasley, could answer, "I like your new look." Transition complete.

BTW, I don't think explaining an appearance change is necessary in every circumstance. The James Bond movies, for example, are all pretty much standalone stories, and it's not necessary to explain the suddenly blonde Bond. I also think that people who are squawking that Idris Elba shouldn't be the next Bond are racists.

So please don't twist my words to make them sound like I object to a black Hermione -- not when I happen to believe that race is a made-up concept used to justify discrimination by one group against another, and that it's time to stop making white actors the default when a role can be played by anyone.

 

Audrey

[WickedGinger]

Posted: 12/23/15 at 4:19am

These comments are just ridiculous on this, that people are being condemned for not being accepting of an actress in a part they do not think she looks right for. (Please note I have said 'look', no mention of her ability as no one has seen her in the role.)

 

The people who have imagined Hermione to look the way she has been cast in the play get to be ecstatic, however for those who imagined her another way are not allowed to be disappointed. 

Updated On: 12/23/15 at 04:19 AM

[WickedGinger]

Posted: 12/23/15 at 4:25am

AHLiebross said: "Come on guys, you're twisting my words. I NEVER said or implied that there should be an explanation why Hermione is BLACK -- I said there should be explanations why all three look so different from before. I also said that Hermione could have, and probably should have been played by a black kid in the movies. However, she wasn't, so now we have a disconnect in appearance between young kid Hermione (Emma Watson) and older woman Hermione.

 

I don't see what would be wrong with Hermione's saying something like, "That Professor Rockabilly anti-wrinkle potion not only didn't work, it completely changed my face." Her husband, Ron Weasley, could answer, "I like your new look." Transition complete.

 

BTW, I don't think explaining an appearance change is necessary in every circumstance. The James Bond movies, for example, are all pretty much standalone stories, and it's not necessary to explain the suddenly blonde Bond. I also think that people who are squawking that Idris Elba shouldn't be the next Bond are racists.

 

So please don't twist my words to make them sound like I object to a black Hermione -- not when I happen to believe that race is a made-up concept used to justify discrimination by one group against another, and that it's time to stop making white actors the default when a role can be played by anyone.

 

 

 

Audrey

 

"

AHLiebross - I would stop trying to add to this discussion. The comments above are frankly ludicrous. At the moment based on physicality I don't think Noma is the right actress, in my opinion, to portray Hermione however trying to establish her physical differences from Emma Watson to explain a link between the movies and the play as a backfired spell is not helpful. 

 

People who are a bit disgruntled about the casting, myself included, will get over it. We will suspend belief when we walk into the theatre. We will be taken back to Hogwarts, Diagon Alley, the Ministry of Magic and accept the three actors on the stage as Harry, Ron & Hermione. Regardless off their age, skin or hair colour.

 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 12/23/15 at 5:39am

Just.  Oy.

 

I don't care one bit about the casting. We (yanks) are not going to see this casting (for the most part).  is it odd to take casting in such a sharp turn? Yes, but if you can believe in dragons and magic, who cares what she looks like?

I actually.liked when Rowling ended the last book closing the door on HP.  I don't actually care if that door is opened again.  

[best12bars]

Posted: 12/23/15 at 6:06am

There are a whole lotta bigots and racists in this thread. Wow.

 

You have a much bigger problem to deal with than the casting of Hermione.

[WickedGinger]

Posted: 12/23/15 at 6:15am

best12bars said: "There are a whole lotta bigots and racists in this thread. Wow.

 

 

 

You have a much bigger problem to deal with than the casting of Hermione.

 

"

Whose comments are you referring to?

Updated On: 12/23/15 at 06:15 AM

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 12/23/15 at 8:08am

Oh dave.  You've done so many reprises of "I Believe (The Myth of Meritocracy)" from The Book of Moron so many times it's mind numbing.

Updated On: 12/23/15 at 08:08 AM

[mpd4165]

Posted: 12/23/15 at 9:06am

WickedGinger said: "best12bars said: "There are a whole lotta bigots and racists in this thread. Wow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You have a much bigger problem to deal with than the casting of Hermione.

 

 

 

"

 

Whose comments are you referring to?

 

"

Who do you think??

[Kad]

Posted: 12/23/15 at 9:45am

"Come on guys, you're twisting my words. I NEVER said or implied that there should be an explanation why Hermione is BLACK -- I said there should be explanations why all three look so different from before."

You seem to be operating under the assumption that the looks of the characters as portrayed in the films are now "locked" as being the only version acceptable across all mediums.

They're not.

This isn't part of the film adaptation. It's not even an adaptation of anything, it's a new work.

This is a different thing. There is no how they looked "before" except for any physical descriptions in the book, which for this work is the canon.

Updated On: 12/23/15 at 09:45 AM

[DigificWriter]

Posted: 12/23/15 at 10:13am

You would think people on these boards would have the class and good sense not to perpetuate a nontroversy like this whole Black Hermione furor.

 

* sigh*

 

Aside from one instance where JKR used the word 'white' to describe the effect of fear on Hermione's facial complexion, no description of her ethnicity and skin color was ever given, so this doesn't actually violate anything that was previously laid out in official Canon and is honestly a whole lot of Much Ado about Nothing.

 

As an aside, official HP Canon, to my knowledge, consists of the novels, the two textbooks, The Tales of Beedle the Bard, Pottermore, any statements made by JKR directly, this play, and the Fantastic Beasts films. The 8 movies are officially licensed and approved adaptations, but aren't official Canon in and of themselves even though they do contain Canonical elements.

 

Updated On: 12/23/15 at 10:13 AM

[Hamilton22]

Posted: 12/23/15 at 10:14am

Is Wicked Ginger a 10 year old? Seriously grow  up. If you are THiS bothered by an African American playing Hermoine, then just stay home and watch the films. God forbid an African american ruin your Harry Potter experience. Jesus do you hear yourself? 

[Dave19]

Posted: 12/23/15 at 11:18am

best12bars said: "There are a whole lotta bigots and racists in this thread. Wow.

You have a much bigger problem to deal with than the casting of Hermione.

"

 

I think the people who shout "yay" just because she is black have serious problems too.

 

Now I don't mind this casting at all, she clearly was better than everyone else at the audition, so I'm glad for her. This is a fantasy role in a fantasy land which can be played by anyone.

I do think it's important though that we keep noticing age, gender, looks, characteristics AND skin color. Not all roles are for black people, just as not all roles are for females or age 50+ or whatever. It is just an important characteristic that should not be ignored. Colorblind casting therefore is rude in a way. Especially in pieces based on true events.

 

If skin color doesn't matter for a certain role, such as this fantasy role, it is fine. Everyone will still see and notice the characteristic, but there is no way of telling what is/was accurate because it's fantasy. The only thing is that if a character suddenly has a gender/age/skin color swap, it needs some explanation. (or any other visible characteristic that is part of casting). 

 

 

 

Updated On: 12/23/15 at 11:18 AM

[WickedGinger]

Posted: 12/23/15 at 11:20am

Hamilton22 said: "Is Wicked Ginger a 10 year old? Seriously grow  up. If you are THiS bothered by an African American playing Hermoine, then just stay home and watch the films. God forbid an African american ruin your Harry Potter experience. Jesus do you hear yourself? 

 

Are you people serious! Just because everyone has not embraced this casting choice with open arms does not make them bad people!

 

Noma Dumesweni does not look like how I and a lot of people imagined Hermione to originally be. 

[Hamilton22]

Posted: 12/23/15 at 11:21am

I thought it was odd that the article focused primarily on the aspect of Hermoine's race, as it doesn't really matter what race  any of these characters are. It's a play about magic for christakes and you have loons like wickedginger going cray cray about race. THE LULZ.

[Dave19]

Posted: 12/23/15 at 11:36am

Hamilton22 said: "I thought it was odd that the article focused primarily on the aspect of Hermoine's race"

 

I just hope the casting directors didn't do that either. I don't care about race at all, for instance, I think an Asian girl could fit the role even better in my opinion, based on the type of person I have in mind after reading the books. But perhaps every other person at the audition was not as good as this actress. I just can't help the thought that the need for a black Hermione mattered just a little too much for them.

 

 

Updated On: 12/23/15 at 11:36 AM

[Kad]

Posted: 12/23/15 at 11:47am

"I don't care about race at all."
"I just can't help the thought that the need for a black Hermione mattered just a little too much for them."

Uh... huh.

Updated On: 12/23/15 at 11:47 AM

[Hamilton22]

Posted: 12/23/15 at 11:47am

 

Are you people serious! Just because everyone has not embraced this casting choice with open arms does not make them bad people!

 

YOU are the only one complaining about her being black. No one else gives a rats ass because it doesn't matter. Just As bestbars said, the author or the show is under no obligation to cast people by how they look like in the book.

 

Noma Dumesweni does not look like how I and a lot of people imagined Hermione to originally be. 

 

 

And? Get over it, wimp. 

Updated On: 12/23/15 at 11:47 AM

[hork]

Posted: 12/23/15 at 11:49am

"I think they should have cast someone younger as Ron."

 

"That's fine."

 

"I think they should have cast a white actress as Hermione."

 

"OMG, you can't think that, that's RACIST!"

 

Everyone needs to calm the F down. Why does this hysteria erupt every time race is brought up? WickedGinger is disappointed in the casting, because it's not how he pictured Hermione. So what? Just ... let him be disappointed. What difference does it make? Book readers gets images in their heads about how a character looks, and it's exciting for them when the characters in a film adaptation match their mental image. It's like their imagination is up there right on the screen. You've heard the expression "He stepped right out of the book," no doubt. WickedGinger doesn't get to have this experience. It's disappointing for him. Get over it. It's not about "believing" in a black Hermione, the way you believe in unicorns and magic wands. It's about accepting this character as the same character you've been reading about for years. I mean, I still can't accept Hugh Jackman's Wolverine as the Wolverine I grew up reading about, because he's too tall, too handsome, and too charming, which is not at all what the comic book version is like. I think he's fine in the role, and has made it his own, but his Wolverine is not Marvel Comics's Wolverine. I didn't get that "he stepped off the page" experience, which was a little disappointing, but I got over it. Just like WickedGinger will get over it.

 

AHLiebross - No explanation is needed, because we've never seen these characters before. This is not a sequel to the movies, and even if it were, we still wouldn't need an explanation, any more than we needed an explanation for why Dumbledore suddenly looked so different.