K.D. Aubert cast as Jessica Jones in 'Luke Cage' movie

[Sharcque]

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1147702/

The girl is hot, but I think it's a cop out on Marvel's part.

[John Doe Jnr]

How is it a cop out that she's white in the comics and black in the movie? This has been done before.

[Kevinroc]

How is it a cop out that she's white in the comics and black in the movie? This has been done before.

It's not Marvel, it's the filmmakers and people are acting this way because Jessica and Luke are an interracial couple in the comics.

[Slade.]

Exactly it's stupid as hell.

They did the same thing with Will Smith, (I forget which movie).

They never allow an interracial couple unless that IS what the movie is about. Unles that IS the issue and plot. They can't just have 2 normal people of different races, be together and it have nothing to do with the story.

[Sharcque]

How is it a cop out that she's white in the comics and black in the movie? This has been done before.
And it was a cop out then as well.

[John Doe Jnr]

I could understand if it was Cloak and Dagger but as far as I know, the interracial relationship between Cage and Jones wasn't really touched on in the comics.

[Beyond The Beyonder]

I could understand if it was Cloak and Dagger but as far as I know, the interracial relationship between Cage and Jones wasn't really touched on in the comics.

And that's part of what makes it cool, that it wasn't such a big deal. They didn't freak out over it, they're just two people in love, and the fact that it's not an issue for them speaks volumes in support of the acceptance of interracial relationships. Because it shouldn't be a big deal. It's there, it's normal, get used to it, etc. But because Hollywood will sacrifice its integrity in a heartbeat if it feels people still get nervous about seeing a black man with a white woman, they've turned Jessica black and they've sabotaged the one high-profile interracial relationship in superhero comics.

I'd love to see what Bendis thinks of this.

[Haunt]

it's not a cop-out. why? Jessica Jones is not part of Luke Cage's origin story. the movie is telling Cage's origin. the girl in the movie doesn't have powers. her name just happens to be Jessica Jones (i know at least two 'jessica joneses'). it's call a 'nod.' everyone can unclench now.

[Armless Penguin]

it's not a cop-out. why? Jessica Jones is not part of Luke Cage's origin story. the movie is telling Cage's origin. the girl in the movie doesn't have powers. her name just happens to be Jessica Jones (i know at least two 'jessica joneses'). it's call a 'nod.' everyone can unclench now.

Oh, come on. The character is obviously supposed to be Jessica Jones, and there's no getting around that.

[Black Atom]

Oh, come on. The character is obviously supposed to be Jessica Jones, and there's no getting around that.

I think he means that she will be Jessica Jones in name only, which is probably true.

[KenK]

And that's part of what makes it cool, that it wasn't such a big deal. They didn't freak out over it, they're just two people in love, and the fact that it's not an issue for them speaks volumes in support of the acceptance of interracial relationships. Because it shouldn't be a big deal.

That's just wishful thinking. It shouldn't be an issue, but to disregard that it is is irresponsible. Yeah, it doesn't have to be a focal point, but a lot needs to be taken into consideration when two parties of different races engage in a relationship. That's reality.

It's there, it's normal, get used to it, etc. But because Hollywood will sacrifice its integrity in a heartbeat if it feels people still get nervous about seeing a black man with a white woman, they've turned Jessica black and they've sabotaged the one high-profile interracial relationship in superhero comics.

WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?!! Before Storm jumped over the broom with Black Panther, she had an off again/on again relationship with Forge! Let's not even get into her alleged "lesbian" trysts, and none of those chicks were black! David and Noriko in New X-Men, Cloak and Dagger as mentioned, Bishop and Deathbird, etc.

In general, comics have had a long track record of pairing blacks and minorities with white characters in comics. A majority of comic writers are white males, and there's always been a mass apprehension towards writing black-on-black romantic pairings. Even the recent pairing of Storm and Black Panther took two black writers to come to fruition.

[DrewTheXenocide]

Man this chick is hot.

Isn't this all that matters, here? Besides acting capability, I mean.

[JLarson]

Pretty disappointing.

[CaptainAwesome]

Isn't this all that matters, here? Besides acting capability, I mean.
Hell yes. Fantastic Four is a perfect example. Even though there was virtually no acting in that movie, its still watchable because of Jessica Alba. This woman Aubert is hot enough to do that for Luke Cage, I think.

[StoneGold]

Here's the biggest problem, for the kind of movie that I'm guessing Singleton is going to make, a superpowered white woman wouldn't work. Think about the last couple of action movies Singleton made. Four Brothers, Shaft 2000... basically modern upgrades of 70's style action movies. And Alias doesn't work with that. Honestly, I'm surprised they are using the name at all, unless it is because the two came packaged together as part of the licensing deal.


As a movie, Cage is more than likely going to work best not so much as a superhero, but distilled down to his essence: a bulletproof Shaft, mixed with the Count of Monte Cristo. Cage gets sent up the river for a crime he didn't commit, gets super powers, busts out and gets revenge on those who done him wrong. Plain and simple, by the numbers, and keep the yellow silk shirts and headbands out of it.

[Leslie Lee III]

Oh, come on. The character is obviously supposed to be Jessica Jones, and there's no getting around that.

No it's not, because no one cares about Jessica Jones. It's just Luke Cage's love interest. Just a "nod"/using the names associated with the property. Repeat no one cares about Jessica Jones.

[Pól Rua]

Oh, come on. The character is obviously supposed to be Jessica Jones, and there's no getting around that.

Really, what, besides the name does she have in common with the comic version of Jessica Jones?
I'm betting she's not going to be a former 2-bit superheroine turned PI. Frankly, she seems more like a Misty Knight or Claire Temple stand in to me.

[Pól Rua]

As a movie, Cage is more than likely going to work best not so much as a superhero, but distilled down to his essence: a bulletproof Shaft, mixed with the Count of Monte Cristo. Cage gets sent up the river for a crime he didn't commit, gets super powers, busts out and gets revenge on those who done him wrong. Plain and simple, by the numbers, and keep the yellow silk shirts and headbands out of it.

I'm in 100% agreement.
Except for the yellow silk shirts and headbands.
They're cool.

[Kaos]

I'm in 100% agreement.
Except for the yellow silk shirts and headbands.
They're cool.

LIES ALL LIES!
no self respecting hood brother would be rockin yellow silk shirts and a headband that looks like an upside down tiara..it just ain happenin!

[Haunt]

John Singleton doesn't care about white people!! there, i said it.

[StoneGold]

John Singleton doesn't care about white people!! there, i said it.
Joking aside, he made Mark Wahlberg look pretty damn good in Four Brothers.


Seriously, who would have guessed Marky Mark in the John Wayne role?

[Pól Rua]

LIES ALL LIES!
no self respecting hood brother would be rockin yellow silk shirts and a headband that looks like an upside down tiara..it just ain happenin!

That's how badass Cage is.
He can look mean even in a tiara and a yellow silk pirate shirt.

[Kaos]

Joking aside, he made Mark Wahlberg look pretty damn good in Four Brothers.


Seriously, who would have guessed Marky Mark in the John Wayne role?

me! he was illy in that movie, him and tyrese murked that movie.

and pol...if the movie has pirate shirts I will walk out of the cinema. I catch him glimpsin at a tiara and I'll cry...lord knows what I'll do if he says sweet christmas.

[Pól Rua]

and pol...if the movie has pirate shirts I will walk out of the cinema. I catch him glimpsin at a tiara and I'll cry...lord knows what I'll do if he says sweet christmas.

Awww. c'mon.
I can buy no pirate shirt or tiara, but no "Sweet Christmas!"?

I may weep openly.

[Ryan Day]

No it's not, because no one cares about Jessica Jones. It's just Luke Cage's love interest. Just a "nod"/using the names associated with the property. Repeat no one cares about Jessica Jones.

Then really, it's utterly pointless. Jessica Jones is meaningless to 99% of the audience for the film. The 1% that knows who she is will be annoyed or confused. So why bother? It's not like Jessica is integral to Luke's origin; she's an addition 20 years later.

[We R. Venom]

I am actually dissapointed with this. I was looking forward to seeing Jessica Jones in this movie. Yeah K.D, is hot, but she cant act and I really expected JJ to be white. Thats just be, im sure the movie will be...something, i dont know yet, i wont judge it yet on this, but i am still dissapointed.

[Kaos]

Awww. c'mon.
I can buy no pirate shirt or tiara, but no "Sweet Christmas!"?

I may weep openly.

ayte..ayte.....you can have sweet christmas....(god did I say that?)

[Hush Little Batman]

Getting back on topic here…

WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?!! Before Storm jumped over the broom with Black Panther, she had an off again/on again relationship with Forge! Let's not even get into her alleged "lesbian" trysts, and none of those chicks were black! David and Noriko in New X-Men, Cloak and Dagger as mentioned, Bishop and Deathbird, etc.

The key word Beyond the Beyonder used was "High-Profile." None of the other interracial relationships you mentioned meet that criteria. I don't even know who or what David and Noriko are. As for Cloak and Dagger – a lot of comic fans wouldn't know them if they walked into a panel wearing shirts that read, "We're Cloak & Dagger!"

Interestingly, on Marvel.com, the official bios of Cloak (http://www.marvel.com/universe/Cloak) & Dagger (http://www.marvel.com/universe/Dagger) never described them as being, or once being, a romantic couple. In fact, a quick search (Ctrl+F) revealed that the words "couple", "relationship" or "love" are never used in either of their bios. This is how Marvel describes their relationship:

Cloak & Dagger are devoted to each other, but the lonely Dagger often wants more from life.

Doesn’t exactly make them sound like they were ever lovers nor is it a ringing endorsement for Cloak as a potential romantic partner for Dagger either. I’m not saying you’re lying about them being a couple; I’m saying Marvel doesn’t even acknowledge it on their site, so how is any new reader to know? Plus, the word “devoted” doesn’t inherently imply romance. You can be devoted to your best friend and not have any romantic feelings. I found out they were lovers on Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloak_and_Dagger_(comics)) and as of now, I’m not even sure it’s true.

Now if comics more popular females like Wonder Woman, Rogue, Supergirl and Catwoman had a Black man as their regular main romantic interest (and by regular I mean a supporting character in the title and not a few issues of an arc), then that would be high-profile, but I doubt you'll ever see it.

In general, comics have had a long track record of pairing blacks and minorities with white characters in comics.

Yes, but it's usually been a bunch of characters no one gives a damn about. If Marvel or DC decided to break up the couples of Clark/Lois, Peter/Mary Jane or Reed/Sue and have those women start dating again, don't think for a second that any of them are going to date a Black man. No way. In this aspect JLU was years ahead of its time with the John/Shayera romance.

Until this is confirmed, take anything you read on IMDB with a grain of salt.

[malephoenix]

No it's not, because no one cares about Jessica Jones. It's just Luke Cage's love interest. Just a "nod"/using the names associated with the property. Repeat no one cares about Jessica Jones.

Around here, there's a lot of Jessica Jones fans. Dozens of people from the LCS were upset by "Alias" becoming "The Daily Bugle" or whatever it was. And there were quite a few who were tingling with anticipation for the Jessica Jones Heroclix. By and large, a lot of people may not care. But apparently a lot of work went into her development in her series, and a lot of people do care.

(I don't, really. But as a white man that usually only dates black women, I find the concept itself rather distasteful that Hollywood did that.)

[StoneGold]

Yes, but it's usually been a bunch of characters no one gives a damn about. If Marvel or DC decided to break up the couples of Clark/Lois, Peter/Mary Jane or Reed/Sue and have those women start dating again, don't think for a second that any of them are going to date a Black man. No way. In this aspect JLU was years ahead of its time with the John/Shayera romance.

Well you're right, but only because if they broke up, two of the characters would almost completely lose their meaning of existence in the comic, and the third, they've been dating since the first issue. It's more a matter of nothing working romantically outside their significant others, and anything that was purely existing as a barrier between the two characters getting back together. You're talking about characters who are linked

Whereas on the other hand, I can think of a few characters who aren't. Of the three lovers I can think of off the top of my head that I know for a fact Silver Sable has had, one was the Foreigner, the other two were a Vietnamese girl in the Wild Pack and a black dude whose name I'm blanking on. And this was while she was the star of her own book.

[Chiasm]

They never allow an interracial couple unless that IS what the movie is about. Unles that IS the issue and plot. They can't just have 2 normal people of different races, be together and it have nothing to do with the story.

On TV right now.

Heroes.

I'm blanking the names but the nurse character who can mimic other's powers and the black chick who is the soon to be former girlfriend of the artist.

Its interracial and its not even an issue.

[une]

On TV right now.

Heroes.

I'm blanking the names but the nurse character who can mimic other's powers and the black chick who is the soon to be former girlfriend of the artist.

Its interracial is not even an issue.

Interracial relationships are a lot more common on TV than they were a few years ago But it's still restricted to only a few kinds of interracial relationships. Ussually it's an asian woman with a white man, although sometimes they like to throw in the occasional white/black relationship

Other kinds, specifically asian male/white female, are very rare on American TV.

[the film freak]

Wait a sec... Tyrese is in negotiations to play Luke Cage. Seriously? They couldn't find anyone better? Would anyone even see a movie starring Tyrese?

[Hush Little Batman]

Well you're right, but only because if they broke up, two of the characters would almost completely lose their meaning of existence in the comic, and the third, they've been dating since the first issue. It's more a matter of nothing working romantically outside their significant others, and anything that was purely existing as a barrier between the two characters getting back together. You're talking about characters who are linked

We all know JQ wants Peter to be single again and if he doesn't plan on killing MJ, he's going to break them up. When they're separated, I think Peter and MJ will date again and I wouldn't hold my breathe waiting for MJ to be seen with a black man. It's not because MJ or Marvel are racists, but simply because she's not a throwaway character and fans care about her. I'm sure Marvel would like to avoid that kind of uproar. Controversy can be good for sales, but not if it pisses off a large amount of your fan base.

Whereas on the other hand, I can think of a few characters who aren't. Of the three lovers I can think of off the top of my head that I know for a fact Silver Sable has had, one was the Foreigner, the other two were a Vietnamese girl in the Wild Pack and a black dude whose name I'm blanking on. And this was while she was the star of her own book.

I'm not sure what this last paragraph is talking about. Are you talking about lovers who aren't linked or interracial couples?

Interracial relationships are a lot more common on TV than they were a few years ago But it's still restricted to only a few kinds of interracial relationships. Ussually it's an asian woman with a white man, although sometimes they like to throw in the occasional white/black relationship

Other kinds, specifically asian male/white female, are very rare on American TV.

This is true.

The white male/black female couple is fairly common on TV; on the other hand a black male/white female pairing is still a semi-taboo - especially if the female in question is a star (or a rising one). Case in point: on Friends and Seinfeld, the males either dated (Ross, Joey, Kramer) or desired (George) a black female at some point, but none of the females ever looked at a black male. Not that I can remember, anyway.

A black or white male with an asian female of Chinese, Japanese or Korean decent is done quite a lot, but I don't recall ever seeing an asian male (of similar decent) with a black or white female.

The white female /latin male pairing is done to the point of ridiculousness because the girls are always paired with light-skinned or tanned males. The latins (or latinos) with very dark skin (i.e. look black) are not an option. Similarly, the white male and latin female pairing is done a lot.

[Xanrn]

If they want a Black Female Love Interest, why not just call her Misty Knight.

Or a name made solely for the film Joanna Jessica or something.

If the name means nothing why use it?

Their using it because in the comics Jessica Jones is his Wife, full stop.

If Jessica was currently married to Scott Lang/Captain America (see that What If?), do you honestly think the female love interest would be called Jessica Jones?

Also isn't the Luke Cage movie one of their inhouse ones?

[malephoenix]

If they want a Black Female Love Interest, why not just call her Misty Knight.

Or a name made solely for the film Joanna Jessica or something.

If the name means nothing why use it?

Their using it because in the comics Jessica Jones is his Wife, full stop.


Good point. In the last thread about this, someone posted (paraphrasing):

Why use the name if it's not going to be that character? It might not matter to those that don't read comics or those that don't read comics with this couple in them. But you know it will be something fanboys of Luke and/or Jessica will be upset by, and worst of all, if someone is only slightly familiar with the characters or isn't at all, and they want to get involved in those comics, this just creates confusion and frustration. ("Wait. Jessica was this black chick in the movie. Who's this? It's not the same person, b/c this one used to be a superhero. What's going on?")

[Chiasm]

The white male/black female couple is fairly common on TV; on the other hand a black male/white female pairing is still a semi-taboo - especially if the female in question is a star (or a rising one). Case in point: on Friends and Seinfeld, the males either dated (Ross, Joey, Kramer) or desired (George) a black female at some point, but none of the females ever looked at a black male. Not that I can remember, anyway.


The black man / white woman thing is rare but does happen. Couple of examples I can think of off the top of my head.

Star Trek did the black male / white female thing a couple of times sort of. Worf was played by a black actor. He hooked up with Deanna Troi and Lt Dax. And I'm fairly sure I remember Giordi dating white women a few times.

On Buffy the Vampire Slayer, you had the Principal Wood / Faith pairing.

On Veronica Mars, Wallace briefly dated a white girl (I forget her name but Veronica helped find her missing runaway bride sister in an episode).

[kalorama]

The black man / white woman thing is rare but does happen. Couple of examples I can think of off the top of my head.

Star Trek did the black male / white female thing a couple of times sort of. Worf was played by a black actor. He hooked up with Deanna Troi and Lt Dax.

Don't think that one really counts since both characters were aliens from different planets.

[kalorama]

Around here, there's a lot of Jessica Jones fans. Dozens of people from the LCS were upset by "Alias" becoming "The Daily Bugle" or whatever it was. And there were quite a few who were tingling with anticipation for the Jessica Jones Heroclix. By and large, a lot of people may not care. But apparently a lot of work went into her development in her series, and a lot of people do care.

(I don't, really. But as a white man that usually only dates black women, I find the concept itself rather distasteful that Hollywood did that.)

But most of the people who care are not the majority of people they're hoping this film will reach.

[Hush Little Batman]

The black man / white woman thing is rare but does happen. Couple of examples I can think of off the top of my head.

Star Trek did the black male / white female thing a couple of times sort of. Worf was played by a black actor. He hooked up with Deanna Troi and Lt Dax. And I'm fairly sure I remember Giordi dating white women a few times.

Michael Dorn is a black male, but he was playing a Klingon and no, that's not the same thing.

On Buffy the Vampire Slayer, you had the Principal Wood / Faith pairing.

Yeah, he started out flirting with Buffy and he even went on a date with her, but the writers/producers quickly squashed that. Wood/Faith was thrown in like the second to last episode. AFAIC, there was no relationship there.

On Veronica Mars, Wallace briefly dated a white girl (I forget her name but Veronica helped find her missing runaway bride sister in an episode).

It didn't last, did it?

Sure, you may see a black male/white female flirt or go on a date, but it's rare to see them in a passionate, loving relationship that's in your face. I think a few years ago on 'ER' they may have had one, but Eric Lasalle ended it.

[The Mirrorball Man]

I would find it much easier to be outraged if she weren't that hot.

[Hush Little Batman]

I have a question for everyone who’s upset about this. First off, do you remember the Spawn comic and movie? Okay, now in the comic, both Terry Fitzgerald and Chapel were black men, but when the film was made, Terry was changed into a white man and Chapel to a white woman.

Now in Chapel's case we know the reason for the change was because of Mcfarlane and Liefeld real life parting of ways, but rather than making Chapel a black woman, they made him a white one instead (in later issues of Spawn, they made this same switch). In the case of Terry Fitzgerald, the changed seemed completely unnecessary.

So, how did you feel when Terry Fitzgerald and Chapel were changed from black to white for the Spawn movie? Did you feel this same outrage or did you just roll with the punches and accept it?

[Snake-eyes]

Wonder Woman did have a black romantic interest, Trevor Barnes

[Beyond The Beyonder]

That's just wishful thinking. It shouldn't be an issue, but to disregard that it is is irresponsible. Yeah, it doesn't have to be a focal point, but a lot needs to be taken into consideration when two parties of different races engage in a relationship. That's reality.

It hasn't been disregarded at all, it just hasn't been freaked out about. It's not the defining element of the relationship, nor should it be.

WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?!! Before Storm jumped over the broom with Black Panther, she had an off again/on again relationship with Forge! Let's not even get into her alleged "lesbian" trysts, and none of those chicks were black! David and Noriko in New X-Men, Cloak and Dagger as mentioned, Bishop and Deathbird, etc.

I'll let Hush Little Batman's comments - post #28 - speak for me on this one. Most people don't even know who Forge is, let alone David and Noriko or Deathbird. Cloak and Dagger would be the most well-known of the ones you mentioned but they haven't even had a series in ages so they can hardly be that "high-profile" and they're better known as a crimefighting duo than a couple anyway.

Luke and Jessica just got married in the pages of Marvel's flagship series. At present, they are the only high-profile interracial couple in mainstream comics, so it seems pretty significant that when Cage goes to the silver-screen, this aspect is going to be taken out.

Incidentally, Storm and Forge would certainly count as an interracial couple, but it still holds a different social connotation. With Cage and Jones you've got a black man and a white woman, which has always been a much scarier relationships, for social conservatives, than the idea of a Navajo man dating a black woman.

[kalorama]

Luke and Jessica just got married in the pages of Marvel's flagship series. At present, they are the only high-profile interracial couple in mainstream comics, so it seems pretty significant that when Cage goes to the silver-screen, this aspect is going to be taken out.

To the vast majority of the general movie going audience (who (A) don't read comics and (B) are the target for the filmmakers) the only high profile comic book characters are Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, and Spider-Man. And even within the ranks of comics fans, Luke Cage and Jessica Jones are hardly A-listers.

[Black Atom]

Wonder Woman did have a black romantic interest, Trevor Barnes

I was going to mention that.

Also, weren't Misty Knight and Danny Rand hooked up long before Jessica Jones and Luke Cage?

There was also Kid Quantum and Cosmic Boy in Legion recently. There aren't too many high-profile interracial couples but A) how many high-profile racial superheroes are there to begin with and B) how many high-profile racial couples are there?

[Nate Grey]

I was going to mention that.

Also, weren't Misty Knight and Danny Rand hooked up long before Jessica Jones and Luke Cage?

There was also Kid Quantum and Cosmic Boy in Legion recently. There aren't too many high-profile interracial couples but A) how many high-profile racial superheroes are there to begin with and B) how many high-profile racial couples are there?

Problem is they usually wind up dead (Trevor Barnes) or broken up (Danny and Misty). At least Luke and Jessica (in the comics) seems to be stable and not going anywhere.

[kalorama]

Problem is they usually wind up dead (Trevor Barnes) or broken up (Danny and Misty). At least Luke and Jessica (in the comics) seems to be stable and not going anywhere.

Danny and Misty are still together.

[Nate Grey]

Danny and Misty are still together.

Wow, really? What comic can I read this in? That mini that Misty has with Colleen Wing?

[KenK]

Wow, really? What comic can I read this in? That mini that Misty has with Colleen Wing?

I think Iron Fist was brought up in the new Heroes for Hire.

[kalorama]

Misty refers to him as still her boyfriend in HfH #1. And I believe they were shown sleeping together in the Daughters of the Dragon mini (as I recall from the previews).

[Predator]

WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?!! Before Storm jumped over the broom with Black Panther, she had an off again/on again relationship with Forge! Let's not even get into her alleged "lesbian" trysts, and none of those chicks were black!

What?!? When did this happen? And with whom?

[Laminator_X]

So what I'm asking myself is:

"Did they want to avoid threatenning White Men in or angering Black women?"

[Black Atom]

Problem is they usually wind up dead (Trevor Barnes) or broken up (Danny and Misty). At least Luke and Jessica (in the comics) seems to be stable and not going anywhere.

That seems like a premature assertion. At the very least, I expect them to fade back to D-list status (or no-list, in Jessica's case) once Bendis isn't handling them anymore.

[kalorama]

So what I'm asking myself is:

"Did they want to avoid threatenning White Men in or angering Black women?"

Maybe both. Maybe neither. It's really not that black and white (so to speak).

[maczero]

So what I'm asking myself is:

"Did they want to avoid threatenning White Men in or angering Black women?"Interesting thought. I would hope neither reason led to casting Aubert. I kinda have mixed feelings on the subject. On one hand I'm glad to see a black woman get a shot at a major role. On the other, her casting sacrifices the appearance of comic's most high profile interracial romance.

[John Doe Jnr]

Who's playing Iron Fist in the movie?

[Haunt]

Interesting thought. I would hope neither reason led to casting Aubert. I kinda have mixed feelings on the subject. On one hand I'm glad to see a black woman get a shot at a major role. On the other, her casting sacrifices the appearance of comic's most high profile interracial romance.

no, it really doesn't. nothing was changed in the comic. and, if they ever do the Alter Ego series, i can guarantee that 'Jessica Jones' will be white.

Who's playing Iron Fist in the movie?

Ray Park, if it ever gets made (which it probably won't).

[Black Atom]

So what I'm asking myself is:

"Did they want to avoid threatenning White Men in or angering Black women?"

Most likely always intended for Cage to have a black love interest and probably only used the Jessica Jones name because it was part of the licensing deal they bought. Introducing the interracial relationship in the movie that's going to establish Marvel's premier, black urban superhero would be a poor move, anyway, in my opinion.

[kalorama]

Most likely always intended for Cage to have a black love interest and probably only used the Jessica Jones name because it was part of the licensing deal they bought. Introducing the interracial relationship in the movie that's going to establish Marvel's premier, black urban superhero would be a poor move, anyway, in my opinion.

An opinion I'm almost certain John Singleton shares.

[Pól Rua]

Luke and Jessica just got married in the pages of Marvel's flagship series. At present, they are the only high-profile interracial couple in mainstream comics, so it seems pretty significant that when Cage goes to the silver-screen, this aspect is going to be taken out.

However, the movie will probably not be based around the version of the character appearing in 'New Avengers' as much as the character who appeared in 'Luke Cage, Hero for Hire'.
And back then, of course, his chief love interest was Claire Temple, a black, female doctor working at a street clinic with Noah Burstein.

Frankly, I have no problem. Films are different from comics. Stuff is going to change.

[kalorama]

Speaking of which, I really hope (against hope, I know) CLaire pops up in one of the Civil War tie-ins, given that she's also Bill (Goliath) Foster's ex-wife.

[KenK]

Interesting thought. I would hope neither reason led to casting Aubert. I kinda have mixed feelings on the subject. On one hand I'm glad to see a black woman get a shot at a major role. On the other, her casting sacrifices the appearance of comic's most high profile interracial romance.

So? Most comic movies end up pushing interracial relationships anyway.

Spawn: Terry Fitzgerald is supposed to be black, and for no real reason, a white actor was cast in the role, ultimately the husband of a black woman.

Blade II: No romance between Blade and Karen Jensen in the first film, but when the time comes for Blade to have something of a love interest in the sequel, she's , well, I don't know what Leonor Verela is, but she ain't black.

Fantastic Four: Despite Thing being The Thing, I'm sure viewers retained knowledge of him being a white man, and his subsequent love interest ends up being black (despite her character in the comics being white).

And even if two black (or ethnic) characters in a comic book movie do have a noticable connection, it's always something unrequited. Like Spawn, Al can't be with the love of his life, even though everything he went through ,he did it for her. Men In Black II, Jay can't be with Laura cause she has to leave Earth to save an alien race.

Or, black characters get left out on the romance tip altogether. Could Storm hook up with anyone?!?! Logan pines after Jean, and clearly, she had some attraction to him, Bobby had Rogue. Scott, despite getting the shaft at the end of the day, had Jean through the first two movies. Where was the love for Storm? Nightcrawler?!?

Long and short of it, I could give two bits o' bottle piss about sacrificing comics only high-profile interracial couple. Let's have a high-profile black-on-black couple in comic book movie first and foremost!

[Gargus]

I'd love to see what Bendis thinks of this.

You could if you paid him enough or were going to list his thoughts on a medium were thousands of people would read it. Better watch out, kirkman is catching up to him in the area of "writing the most mediocre stories as possible in as many comics as possible in shortest amount of time".

At any rate I dont care who plays her because I wont see it. Im not a big fan of cage but I promise you it will have him being a typical ghetto hardass hero who is to cool to unfold his arms unless its to hit someone while keeping his frown in check. I liked the old cage better than the new one anyway.

His costume is a black jacket and a beanie, with sunglasses all the time. Thats no hero.

And singleton while a mildly decent director is no one special, but given the amount of blackness in the films he is known for its a sure bet it will be latent with more urban stylings than it needs. It would be like spike lee doing a movie without racial comments, even in movies that have nothing to do with racism he still lays it on thick.

Not that I am racist but the whole stereotypical black guy routine was run into the ground along time ago. I am gratefull though that blade stayed away from it for the most part.

[StoneGold]

You could if you paid him enough or were going to list his thoughts on a medium were thousands of people would read it. Better watch out, kirkman is catching up to him in the area of "writing the most mediocre stories as possible in as many comics as possible in shortest amount of time".

At any rate I dont care who plays her because I wont see it. Im not a big fan of cage but I promise you it will have him being a typical ghetto hardass hero who is to cool to unfold his arms unless its to hit someone while keeping his frown in check. I liked the old cage better than the new one anyway.

His costume is a black jacket and a beanie, with sunglasses all the time. Thats no hero.

And singleton while a mildly decent director is no one special, but given the amount of blackness in the films he is known for its a sure bet it will be latent with more urban stylings than it needs. It would be like spike lee doing a movie without racial comments, even in movies that have nothing to do with racism he still lays it on thick.

Not that I am racist but the whole stereotypical black guy routine was run into the ground along time ago. I am gratefull though that blade stayed away from it for the most part.
See, this is why I'm glad you have no creative impact on the Cage movie.


Cage has never worked very well as a straight up superhero. Now, that's at least in part due to having one of the worst costumes ever. Which wasn't so bad when it was first drawn, with blue for black leather pants, black boots, and a loose fitting yellow shirt, but when it turned into yellow and blue spandex with yellow boots, it officially became one of the worst costumes ever. Case in point:

http://www.mindsweeper.info/ImageS/LukeCage05252002.jpg

But even then, look at the origin of Luke Cage. When Archie Goodwin wrote it, he was straight up channeling 1970s blacksploitation revenge movies. And not being very subtle about it. You could have made Cage 30 years ago starring Jim Brown. Who, come to think of it, has more than a passing resemblance to the way JRSr drew him.

http://www.geocities.com/cinemorgue2/jimbrown1.jpg


Seriously though, take the Blaxploitation out of Cage, and what's left?

[malephoenix]

But most of the people who care are not the majority of people they're hoping this film will reach.

That's true of *any* comic book movie. The target audience is not people that that care about Mary Jane or Senetor Kelly. The target audience ALSO *is NOT* those that care about Peter Parker or Cyclops. The target audience is the general public.

[kalorama]

That's true of *any* comic book movie. The target audience is not people that that care about Mary Jane or Senetor Kelly. The target audience ALSO *is NOT* those that care about Peter Parker or Cyclops. The target audience is the general public.
That was my point.

[Hush Little Batman]

Introducing the interracial relationship in the movie that's going to establish Marvel's premier, black urban superhero would be a poor move, anyway, in my opinion.

I agree. IMO, Jessica Jones shouldn't be in the first movie at all.

Blade II: No romance between Blade and Karen Jensen in the first film, but when the time comes for Blade to have something of a love interest in the sequel, she's , well, I don't know what Leonor Verela is, but she ain't black.

She is of biracial decent - half Latina (Chilean) and half white (French) to be precise.

And singleton while a mildly decent director is no one special, but given the amount of blackness in the films he is known for its a sure bet it will be latent with more urban stylings than it needs.

The amount of blackness in his films? What does that mean? John Singleton is a black man. Of course his films, most of which have involved race on some level, will contain some form of influence of either the African experience or culture. Martin Scorsese's work contains the same type of influence from his Italian culture and no one criticizes him for, "The amount of Italianess in his films." Your post isn't a valid criticism of Singleton's filmmaking abilities.

It would be like spike lee doing a movie without racial comments, even in movies that have nothing to do with racism he still lays it on thick.

I've yet to see Inside Man, but I don't recall any racism in Summer of Sam, the 25th Hour or She Hate Me.

[StoneGold]

I've yet to see Inside Man, but I don't recall any racism in Summer of Sam, the 25th Hour or She Hate Me.
Racial comments, not racism. Whether there was racism in any of those movies would be a bit more subjective. Racial comments... those were definitely in at least She Hate Me and Summer of Sam. Didn't see 25th Hour.

That said, Four Brothers was pretty much free of virtually any racial commentary, once you got past Marky Mark and Andre 3000 being brothers. It was just a modern telling of Sons of Katie Elder dipped in 70s revenge films. Seriously, for the movie it was, it was nearly perfect.

[Black Atom]

You could if you paid him enough or were going to list his thoughts on a medium were thousands of people would read it. Better watch out, kirkman is catching up to him in the area of "writing the most mediocre stories as possible in as many comics as possible in shortest amount of time".

At any rate I dont care who plays her because I wont see it. Im not a big fan of cage but I promise you it will have him being a typical ghetto hardass hero who is to cool to unfold his arms unless its to hit someone while keeping his frown in check. I liked the old cage better than the new one anyway.

His costume is a black jacket and a beanie, with sunglasses all the time. Thats no hero.

And singleton while a mildly decent director is no one special, but given the amount of blackness in the films he is known for its a sure bet it will be latent with more urban stylings than it needs. It would be like spike lee doing a movie without racial comments, even in movies that have nothing to do with racism he still lays it on thick.

Not that I am racist but the whole stereotypical black guy routine was run into the ground along time ago. I am gratefull though that blade stayed away from it for the most part.

I actually see where you're coming from. There isn't really the same sort of diversity among black action heroes in films that there are among white. Among white heroes, you've got your invincible guys like your James Bonds and your Rambos, but you've also got your more relatable everymen; your John McClaines, your Indiana Joneses and even your Peter Parkers. We haven't really seen the latter among black action heroes, who never lose their cool, always have the good lines and always get the girl (or many of them). I think it's depicted so rarely, that both black and white audiences have come to take it for granted. You can't separate Cage from his ethnicity, but that doesn't mean he has to be a 2-dimensional caricature either, shouting "Oh, HELL no" when his life's in mortal danger.

[Jmacq1]

Most likely always intended for Cage to have a black love interest and probably only used the Jessica Jones name because it was part of the licensing deal they bought. Introducing the interracial relationship in the movie that's going to establish Marvel's premier, black urban superhero would be a poor move, anyway, in my opinion.

Why? Is he supposed to stick to "his own kind" because he's "Marvel's premiere black urban superhero?"

They're not allowed to show two relatively enlightened people of different races in love in the first movie? Particularly if the race card isn't played in the context of the relationship?

God forbid a "blaxploitation" superhero grow into something larger than his roots. If the relationship is portrayed organically, with no real "issue" about the race thing brought up...what's the problem here? As I said, the only thing I can see is that the studio/director/whoever is afraid black women won't go see the movie or something.

I mean, god forbid that a black superhero movie quietly push some boundaries and make people think. Personally I think it would have been a much more brave, much more groundbreaking choice to cast a white Jessica Jones than a Black one. Singleton isn't supposed to be one of those directors that always takes the "safe" route.

But then again (to play Devil's advocate with myself), maybe the girl got the role because she's simply a phenomenal actress. It won't make or break the film for me either way. I just think it's a shame that they didn't think they could be successful portraying an interracial relationship that wasn't fraught with "race issues".

[Kaos]

no I think she got the role cos she was hot....

[kalorama]

Much ado about nothing, most likely. Odds are the character K.D. Aubert plays will have little in common with Jessica Jones other than the name. There was really no way there were going to fully transport the Alias Jessica to the Cage movie because ... it's Cage's movie. Jessica is not an intrinsic part of Cage's history and backstory, like M.J. is to Spider-Man or Lois Lane is to Superman. She was created as a separate property with her own timeline and backstory. Trying to cram the two together would simply take away focus from Cage, who's the star of the movie.

[KenK]

http://www.mindsweeper.info/ImageS/LukeCage05252002.jpg



This is wrong on SOOOOOO many levels!:mad:

[Magneto_X]

Blade II: No romance between Blade and Karen Jensen in the first film, but when the time comes for Blade to have something of a love interest in the sequel, she's , well, I don't know what Leonor Verela is, but she ain't black.


She's from Chile.

[90'sCartoonMan]

Yeah, he started out flirting with Buffy and he even went on a date with her, but the writers/producers quickly squashed that. Wood/Faith was thrown in like the second to last episode. AFAIC, there was no relationship there.

There was never meant to be a relationship between Wood and Buffy. The thing with him and Faith didn't feel that thrown in to me considering how much else they had to do before the show ended. If you're looking for a real interracial couple, though, there's always Fred and Gunn. Their relationship lasted several times longer than Fred and Wesley, and could've been the longest lasting relationship on Angel.

Ya know, when I first heard about this casting, it disturbed me. But if she's Jessica Jones in name only, it's not that much of an insult. If she really is supposed to be Jessica Jones, that's one of the most hypocritical and ignorant decisions Marvel could make when adapting a comic property to a movie (and I say hypocritical because of Ben and Alicia).

[kalorama]

Ya know, when I first heard about this casting, it disturbed me. But if she's Jessica Jones in name only, it's not that much of an insult. If she really is supposed to be Jessica Jones, that's one of the most hypocritical and ignorant decisions Marvel could make when adapting a comic property to a movie (and I say hypocritical because of Ben and Alicia).

There's no hypocrisy because it's not Marvel that made the decision (either in this case or FF). The decision was made by the filmmakers.

[Black Atom]

Why? Is he supposed to stick to "his own kind" because he's "Marvel's premiere black urban superhero?"

They're not allowed to show two relatively enlightened people of different races in love in the first movie? Particularly if the race card isn't played in the context of the relationship?

God forbid a "blaxploitation" superhero grow into something larger than his roots. If the relationship is portrayed organically, with no real "issue" about the race thing brought up...what's the problem here? As I said, the only thing I can see is that the studio/director/whoever is afraid black women won't go see the movie or something.

I mean, god forbid that a black superhero movie quietly push some boundaries and make people think. Personally I think it would have been a much more brave, much more groundbreaking choice to cast a white Jessica Jones than a Black one. Singleton isn't supposed to be one of those directors that always takes the "safe" route.

But then again (to play Devil's advocate with myself), maybe the girl got the role because she's simply a phenomenal actress. It won't make or break the film for me either way. I just think it's a shame that they didn't think they could be successful portraying an interracial relationship that wasn't fraught with "race issues".

Well, let's talk about the landscape of superhero films for a second. Blade and Storm are really the most prominent black heroes out there right now, and neither has really been allowed to have any sort of romantic connection. With Luke in the position to be the first black superhero to have an on-screen romance, pairing him up with a white woman plays to a rather unsavory stereotype, so much so that it would undermine the relationship itself.

You really can't peel away or downplay Cage's ethnicity without doing a disservice to the character. He's not slaying vampires or saving mutant kind, he's cleaning up the ghetto. You are making contrary statements by insisting the interracial relationship be portrayed naively, without the racial implications that surely exist while at the same time saying it will inspire people to think or push some boundary.

Also, people are acting like Singleton is actively avoiding the interracial relationship when he most likely always intended for romantic lead to be black, as she was in the character's origin story. Had he not used the name Jessica Jones, no one would even think twice about it. In the scope of who Cage is, the fact that he's now with a white woman is pretty irrelevent. Including it wouldn't help him tell the best story about Luke Cage, which is all he should be concerned about.

[Jmacq1]

See, I disagree with the sentiment that it wouldn't help tell the best story about Cage. To me, it portrays him as a more "complete" hero. More open-minded then some others of his own race, and furthermore unafraid of the opinions of anyone who might look down upon the relationship as well. It shows he has the courage and conviction to look beyond racial boundaries (and says the same of Jessica). Cage can be a hero for all people. Sure he focuses on his neighborhood primarily, but giving him qualities that are admirable beyond his desire to "clean up the neighborhood" certainly couldn't hurt.

And personally, I find no negative stereotype with a black male being in love with a white female, though I know there are others that would disagree. I contend that it's not a negative stereotype unless it's portrayed that way, though. And I never said the relationship had to be portrayed "naively". It's just that the issue of race shouldn't be an issue for them. I never said there couldn't be external problems or commentary on it.

But other posters are right, it's probably just a "name". And I never would have expected a full-fledged translation of the comic-book Jessica Jones. Though if this version also happens to be a plucky private-eye, I won't be surprised.....

And she -is- definitely hot.

[KenK]

See, I disagree with the sentiment that it wouldn't help tell the best story about Cage. To me, it portrays him as a more "complete" hero. More open-minded then some others of his own race, and furthermore unafraid of the opinions of anyone who might look down upon the relationship as well. It shows he has the courage and conviction to look beyond racial boundaries (and says the same of Jessica). Cage can be a hero for all people. Sure he focuses on his neighborhood primarily, but giving him qualities that are admirable beyond his desire to "clean up the neighborhood" certainly couldn't hurt.

YAY!! More fairy tales of racial harmony. Like I said, for all the lost opportunities to feature black/black romantic couples (as it IS still the rule, despite exceptions) in comic book movies, I'm happy to see a comic movie featuring a black character in a relationship with . . . .ANOTHER BLACK CHARACTER!

[Magneto_X]

no I think she got the role cos she was hot....

Could be the studio wants her over whatever Singleton wants. In those situations the director would get fired if he doesn't go with said studio's decision.

This is just a guess, though.

Maybe she gave Singleton good head? ;)

[Magneto_X]

There's no hypocrisy because it's not Marvel that made the decision (either in this case or FF). The decision was made by the filmmakers.

But isn't Cage one of the movies Marvel is bankrolling themselves?

[StoneGold]

God forbid a "blaxploitation" superhero grow into something larger than his roots. If the relationship is portrayed organically, with no real "issue" about the race thing brought up...what's the problem here? As I said, the only thing I can see is that the studio/director/whoever is afraid black women won't go see the movie or something.

Have you actually seen Shaft? The original? First girl he bangs is a white woman. Interracial affairs have been going on in blaxploitation since its inception.

[StoneGold]

Also, people are acting like Singleton is actively avoiding the interracial relationship when he most likely always intended for romantic lead to be black, as she was in the character's origin story. Had he not used the name Jessica Jones, no one would even think twice about it. In the scope of who Cage is, the fact that he's now with a white woman is pretty irrelevent. Including it wouldn't help him tell the best story about Luke Cage, which is all he should be concerned about.
Damn straight. Hell, not like Singleton didn't use an interracial relationship in his last movie. Tyrese and Sofia Veraga, anyone?

[Black Atom]

See, I disagree with the sentiment that it wouldn't help tell the best story about Cage. To me, it portrays him as a more "complete" hero. More open-minded then some others of his own race, and furthermore unafraid of the opinions of anyone who might look down upon the relationship as well. It shows he has the courage and conviction to look beyond racial boundaries (and says the same of Jessica). Cage can be a hero for all people. Sure he focuses on his neighborhood primarily, but giving him qualities that are admirable beyond his desire to "clean up the neighborhood" certainly couldn't hurt.

So, he's not a complete hero unless he's boning a white woman? Dating within his race makes him somehow narrow-minded and afraid of the opinions of others? I'm simplifying your points, but maybe there're other ways to exhibit those traits in the character.

I'm not sure Singleton should be preoccupied with making Cage accessable to everyone. Cage is a hero for all people because he battles evil, not because of who he goes home with. If people can't get on board for that, then so be it.


And personally, I find no negative stereotype with a black male being in love with a white female, though I know there are others that would disagree. I contend that it's not a negative stereotype unless it's portrayed that way, though. And I never said the relationship had to be portrayed "naively". It's just that the issue of race shouldn't be an issue for them. I never said there couldn't be external problems or commentary on it.

Like it or not, there is a stigma surrounding the situation in the proliferation of the idea that black men see white women as ideal partners. Having Luke Cage, strongest super-brother in the hood, choose a white woman as his prize plays into that sterotype almost comedically. In the context of the Marvel Universe, where there are lots more blacks and lots more blacks that've hooked up, it sells a little better. But considering we haven't seen a single black superhero in a relationship in the movies yet only embellishes the stereotype.


But other posters are right, it's probably just a "name". And I never would have expected a full-fledged translation of the comic-book Jessica Jones. Though if this version also happens to be a plucky private-eye, I won't be surprised.....

And she -is- definitely hot.

I've never really cared for Jessica Jones either way, myself but we'll have to see how it pans out.

[Jmacq1]

Well, it certainly won't stop me from seeing the movie either way. But I have to say, as someone in an interracial relationship myself (which certainly colors my opinion on the matter), I find it mildly disturbing how many people immediately see only the negative in the situation instead of the potential positives.

I some people think the stereotype is that "black men find white women more attractive"...who's at fault there? Where does that stereotype come from, and who ascribes the "negativity" to it? We're supposed to market to the small-minded folks that buy into the stereotype now? As I said, it's not going to make or break the film for me, as I don't really care that much about Jessica Jones as a character either. I just (in apparently only my own view) see a missed opportunity rather than a potential "negative stereotype".

[kalorama]

And personally, I find no negative stereotype with a black male being in love with a white female, though I know there are others that would disagree. I contend that it's not a negative stereotype unless it's portrayed that way, though. And I never said the relationship had to be portrayed "naively". It's just that the issue of race shouldn't be an issue for them. I never said there couldn't be external problems or commentary on it.

No offense, but that position, in and of itself, is a bit naive. Unless they live in a protected bubble, shut away from the rest of the world, "external problems or commentary" on their relationship would almost certainly create "issues" for them. And stereotypes are often as much about perception as portrayal. Possibly even moreso when dealing with this issue. If people are inclined to be uncomfortable or bent out of shape over interracial relationships, then that reaction will manifest itself regardless of how they're portrayed.

[KenK]

Well, it certainly won't stop me from seeing the movie either way. But I have to say, as someone in an interracial relationship myself (which certainly colors my opinion on the matter), I find it mildly disturbing how many people immediately see only the negative in the situation instead of the potential positives.

If they had cast a white chick, assuming the character had to be Jessica Jones, I wouldn't give a rat's ass. But the uproar over the fact that they've cast a black actress to play the love interest for the black main character astounds me.

I just (in apparently only my own view) see a missed opportunity rather than a potential "negative stereotype".

Did everyone just ignore my post where I laid out multiple examples of interracial romantic pairings in comic book movies?

[maczero]

Well, it certainly won't stop me from seeing the movie either way. But I have to say, as someone in an interracial relationship myself (which certainly colors my opinion on the matter), I find it mildly disturbing how many people immediately see only the negative in the situation instead of the potential positives.

I some people think the stereotype is that "black men find white women more attractive"...who's at fault there? Where does that stereotype come from, and who ascribes the "negativity" to it? We're supposed to market to the small-minded folks that buy into the stereotype now? As I said, it's not going to make or break the film for me, as I don't really care that much about Jessica Jones as a character either. I just (in apparently only my own view) see a missed opportunity rather than a potential "negative stereotype".You can also say that going the interracial route sacrifices the opportunity to see a positive relationship between two black leads in a film.

Honestly, I could go either way on the matter but after reading a few points brought up by Black Atom and others, I think this is a smart decision. Let's face it, Luke already has stereotypical origins. He's an inner-city black man with a criminal past. Throw in an interracial romance this early into his introduction to the mainstream and people will focus on the stereotypes.

[Jmacq1]

If they had cast a white chick, assuming the character had to be Jessica Jones, I wouldn't give a rat's ass. But the uproar over the fact that they've cast a black actress to play the love interest for the black main character astounds me.

Are we at "uproar" levels? Maybe with a few people, but mostly I think it's more of a "Huh, what's the point in changing an already-existing character/swiping their name?" They could have given her any number of names (from among Luke's past love interests), or made a new character up just as easily. It's not like "Luke and Jessica" are as ingrained in the public psyche as "Clark and Lois".

I'm not sure it's even so much annoyance over her skin color being different from her comic counterpart as annoyance at an unnecessary change/name-dropping that could easily have been avoided. At least on my own part.

[KenK]

I'm just reading a lot of comments, in this thread, and the one in the Lying In The Gutters Board saying things to the extent of the filmmakers are "ruining comics only high-porfile interracial couple", or some such, to which I find rather laughable given one, the lack of romances featuring a black or minority character at all, let alone two, the fact that virtually any time there IS a romance in a comic book movie with a black character, the other character never seems to be black as well.

[kalorama]

It's not like "Luke and Jessica" are as ingrained in the public psyche as "Clark and Lois".

Which, again, begs the question of why people are so bent out of shape over it.

[Hush Little Batman]

I still maintain the Jessica Jones character (black or white) shouldn't be in the film at all since it's his origin story. In the MU, she didn't appear in Cage's life until much later on and if anything, they should've saved her for a possible third movie (if there ever is one).

[Jmacq1]

Which, again, begs the question of why people are so bent out of shape over it.

Well, it's a comic-based forum with comic fans reading it. Of course someone's going to be bent out of shape.

Meanwhile, 99 percent of the moviegoing public won't have the foggiest notion that Jessica Jones is different from her comic counterpart, or even that a comic version of the character exists at all.

As I said before, it's certainly nothing that'll make or break the film, or prevent many people from seeing it (myself included). That doesn't mean we have to like the decision whole-heartedly, though.

[kalorama]

As I said before, it's certainly nothing that'll make or break the film, or prevent many people from seeing it (myself included). That doesn't mean we have to like the decision whole-heartedly, though.

No one said you did.

[Zero Hunter]

Which, again, begs the question of why people are so bent out of shape over it.

Because it is another one of those stupid things they do to marvel movies that they know will rile people up. They used the name because it has ties to Luke Cage now. They used it because of that reason. It is just kinda dumb to throw in what is basiclly an "easter egg" for the fans of the comics into the movie, and then pull the bait and switch. There was no reason to name the character Jessica Jones in the movie besides being a nod to the comics, and then they switched it up for no reason knowing that the die hards they through it in there for would think it was a dumb move. They would have been better off using Misty Knight or any other name besides that one.

[kalorama]

They would have been better off using Misty Knight or any other name besides that one.

Yeah, because no one would have gottne worked up over that.

[blackdragon6]

to be blunt i think the director made her black to avoid contraversy among black women.lol

[Black Atom]

Well, it certainly won't stop me from seeing the movie either way. But I have to say, as someone in an interracial relationship myself (which certainly colors my opinion on the matter), I find it mildly disturbing how many people immediately see only the negative in the situation instead of the potential positives.

I some people think the stereotype is that "black men find white women more attractive"...who's at fault there? Where does that stereotype come from, and who ascribes the "negativity" to it? We're supposed to market to the small-minded folks that buy into the stereotype now? As I said, it's not going to make or break the film for me, as I don't really care that much about Jessica Jones as a character either. I just (in apparently only my own view) see a missed opportunity rather than a potential "negative stereotype".

You’re overlooking the point. Let’s say you made a movie about a female superhero that constantly had to be saved by a male partner or was generally portrayed as less competent than her male peers. Even though you may not intend to perpetuate a stereotype about the inferiority of women, you have to acknowledge its existence and how it’s going to effect the perception of your story. To blithely deny the existence of those stereotypes would be irresponsible and insensitive.

It’s unfortunate that stereotypes exist but they’re here and we have to deal with them. Does that mean you have to constantly avoid writing material that may reflect a stereotype? Not if you present the material intelligently and are cognizant of the context in which it’s presented. For example, we’re already dealing with the fact that Cage is an ex-con, yet this stereotype is tempered by the fact that we’ve seen other black heroes on-screen who weren’t criminals at all. The question, in this case, is would the interracial relationship help us tell the best story about Luke Cage? In my opinion, it wouldn’t. You’re more likely to undermine the message you were trying to send and the idea of the character itself, which is not a worthy enough risk considering how inconsequential it is to the overall understanding of the character.

[Jmacq1]

You’re overlooking the point. Let’s say you made a movie about a female superhero that constantly had to be saved by a male partner or was generally portrayed as less competent than her male peers. Even though you may not intend to perpetuate a stereotype about the inferiority of women, you have to acknowledge its existence and how it’s going to effect the perception of your story. To blithely deny the existence of those stereotypes would be irresponsible and insensitive.

It’s unfortunate that stereotypes exist but they’re here and we have to deal with them. Does that mean you have to constantly avoid writing material that may reflect a stereotype? Not if you present the material intelligently and are cognizant of the context in which it’s presented. For example, we’re already dealing with the fact that Cage is an ex-con, yet this stereotype is tempered by the fact that we’ve seen other black heroes on-screen who weren’t criminals at all. The question, in this case, is would the interracial relationship help us tell the best story about Luke Cage? In my opinion, it wouldn’t. You’re more likely to undermine the message you were trying to send and the idea of the character itself, which is not a worthy enough risk considering how inconsequential it is to the overall understanding of the character.

Yeah, it makes more sense when you put it like that. Because I don't think the Jessica Jones story is integral to Luke as a character, either (unless they were trying for a straight-out up to the minute translation of the character). But I don't see the rest of the analogy, honestly. Is Luke going to kick less ass because he's dating a white woman? Is he going to do less "cleanup" in his neighborhood? Unless your assumption is that he's supposed to somehow be the avatar of "perfect blackness" or somesuch, I'm just not getting the point where an interracial relationship would "undermine the message". He can't be a super hero and love outside his race? He can't be the protector of Harlem if he does? He can't set a good example if the relationship is presented (your own words) intelligently and cognizant of the context in which it's presented?

[Jmacq1]

to be blunt i think the director made her black to avoid contraversy among black women.lol

Possibly closer to the truth than the "lol" would indicate.

[KenK]

to be blunt i think the director made her black to avoid contraversy among black women.lol

See, had it been Wesley Snipes as Cage, he'd have just been like, "Man, f*** them heffars!!"

[Tish-the-Scorpion]

Possibly closer to the truth than the "lol" would indicate.it is verry close to the truth,there was black women complaining about a female being light skinned in the movie idlewild.so if lightskin BLACK women still draw criticisim then you KNOW white women are gonna get it.me being a black female myself i'm not gonna try to intelectualize the situation.it is what it is.black women seem verry standoffish against women of a lighter persuasion.most of this feeling comes fropm the fact some black females feel marginalized when it comes to the standard of beauty in hollywood and the model industry.

[90'sCartoonMan]

There's no hypocrisy because it's not Marvel that made the decision (either in this case or FF). The decision was made by the filmmakers.

Still, Avi Arad's producer on both movies. Meh, I'm just grasping at straws here finding something to complain about. When all's said and done...

The question, in this case, is would the interracial relationship help us tell the best story about Luke Cage? In my opinion, it wouldn’t.

I don't think it would either, especially not since this is an origin story. If there was a Jessica Jones movie with a white Luke Cage, that'd be an awful idea. As it stands, this character just has the unfortunate luck of being named after a character who she shouldn't have been named after.

[itsyaboy]

YAY!! More fairy tales of racial harmony. Like I said, for all the lost opportunities to feature black/black romantic couples (as it IS still the rule, despite exceptions) in comic book movies, I'm happy to see a comic movie featuring a black character in a relationship with . . . .ANOTHER BLACK CHARACTER!

I totally agree with your statement. Personally, I'm tired of these so-called "enlightened" white comicbook creators hooking black characters up with those of another race.

Coldcast/Batgirl (I forgot the character she placed in Justice League Elite)
Sync/Jubilee
Patriot/Hawkeye or Hawkingbird...whatever
Bishop/every chick he's been with aside Storm
Storm/every dude she's been with except Bishop and Panther
Mister Terrific/the chick in Checkmate
Misty Knight/Iron Fist
Cage/Jessica Jones

Is it an unwritten rule that black/black relationships is a no fly zone? And how come whenever writers want to create a "non-stereotypical" black character.....I get stuck reading some racially blank Carlton Banks type that wouldn't know the Wu-Tang Clan from the Ku Klux Klan.

Sorry for the rant.......to get back on topic. I've been sikes'd to see this movie since I heard they were doing it.....especially since the guy that wrote "the Big Hit" is writing this. Even read a couple of pages of the script. ****SPOILERS*****

I can't wait to see the jail break scene set to Public Enemy's Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos. "Deathrow wha-what a brotha know"

P.S.

KD Aubert......she can get it.

[Haunt]

to be blunt i think the director made her black to avoid contraversy among black women.lol


it's true. that white chick in the movie Candyman was, originally, supposed to live. but, because of pressure by the black women alliance, they burned her alive.

[Black Atom]

Yeah, it makes more sense when you put it like that. Because I don't think the Jessica Jones story is integral to Luke as a character, either (unless they were trying for a straight-out up to the minute translation of the character). But I don't see the rest of the analogy, honestly. Is Luke going to kick less ass because he's dating a white woman? Is he going to do less "cleanup" in his neighborhood? Unless your assumption is that he's supposed to somehow be the avatar of "perfect blackness" or somesuch, I'm just not getting the point where an interracial relationship would "undermine the message". He can't be a super hero and love outside his race? He can't be the protector of Harlem if he does? He can't set a good example if the relationship is presented (your own words) intelligently and cognizant of the context in which it's presented?

Let’s develop some understanding here. Luke Cage’s ethnicity is the fundamental aspect of the character. Unlike other black superheroes that have jumped from comic pages to TV or the big screen, like Storm, Blade or Jon Stewart, his whole niche is that he represents the black man and battles the black conflict. Why else assign a director known for his movies about uniquely black experiences? Acknowledging that, you really don’t see how putting the character in an interracial relationship might, possibly, obscure the character’s purpose a tiny bit by inviting that stigma? Do you think the presumed benefits (which are intangible to me at this point) outweigh the almost certain drawbacks, such as alienating black women from a film about a black superhero?

[Brandon McKinnis]

Yeah, it makes more sense when you put it like that. Because I don't think the Jessica Jones story is integral to Luke as a character, either (unless they were trying for a straight-out up to the minute translation of the character). But I don't see the rest of the analogy, honestly. Is Luke going to kick less ass because he's dating a white woman? Is he going to do less "cleanup" in his neighborhood? Unless your assumption is that he's supposed to somehow be the avatar of "perfect blackness" or somesuch, I'm just not getting the point where an interracial relationship would "undermine the message". He can't be a super hero and love outside his race? He can't be the protector of Harlem if he does? He can't set a good example if the relationship is presented (your own words) intelligently and cognizant of the context in which it's presented?


The avatar of perfect blackness...I'm stealing that, it's awesome....damn it fit...oh well.

[Brandon McKinnis]

See, had it been Wesley Snipes as Cage, he'd have just been like, "Man, f*** them heffars!!"

They would have made her asian...please believe. Or just some fat chick...I read an interview where snipes says he used to get wasted and go out "hogging".

[Brandon McKinnis]

it's true. that white chick in the movie Candyman was, originally, supposed to live. but, because of pressure by the black women alliance, they burned her alive.

I'm going to write a story about the "black women alliance", they'll fight against the "gay mafia".

[blackdragon6]

it's true. that white chick in the movie Candyman was, originally, supposed to live. but, because of pressure by the black women alliance, they burned her alive.was that a joke?

[John Doe Jnr]

Maybe Jessica Jones is gay too in the film..

[Hush Little Batman]

Personally I don't have a problem with a casting decision that changes the character's ethinicity - as long as it isn't central to who the characater is (ex: Luke Cage has to be black). As long as the actor is remarkable in the role, I'm satisfied. The hard truth is that the overwhelming majority of comic heroes/villains are white so if there's never any changeover, minorities will NEVER have a chance to take part in comic based films.

Back when director 'McG' was going to direct Superman Returns, he thought about casting Beyonce as Lois and that pissed me off - not because of her skin color, but because of her complete lack of acting skills. McG's purpose was obvious - It wasn't to be PC; it was to bring in her MTV and music fanbase. Now if he would've gone for someone like Essence Atkins -

http://img105.imagevenue.com/loc419/th_28840_essence_atkins_003_122_419lo.jpg

- an actress who isn't famous, but one with an acting background, then I definitely would've supported the decision because she would've been qualified. I don't care if Superman is played by a White, Black, Indian, Asian, Latin, etc., male, so long as the person cast is awesome in the role. One of the best exampes I can think of is Michael Clark Duncan. While many a fanboy went ape-shit over his casting, I thought he was an awesome Kingpin and I'd love to see him used (even in cameos) in other Marvel films like Punisher 2 or FF:ROTSS.

The only problem I have with this Jessica Jones situation is that it's way too early in Cage's life story to introduce her into it. It's akin to having Robin in the first Batman film. You don't do that because first and foremost, you have to establish who and what Batman is, and how alone his crimefighting efforts are, before bringing in Dick Grayson. I don't care if the woman cast as Jessica Jones is a 6'2" dark-skinned Brazilian, if she's right for the part, then so be it. My only concern is her inclusion in the film at all.

[maczero]

Personally I don't have a problem with a casting decision that changes the character's ethinicity - as long as it isn't central to who the characater is (ex: Luke Cage has to be black). As long as the actor is remarkable in the role, I'm satisfied. The hard truth is that the overwhelming majority of comic heroes/villains are white so if there's never any changeover, minorities will NEVER have a chance to take part in comic based films.

Back when director 'McG' was going to direct Superman Returns, he thought about casting Beyonce as Lois and that pissed me off - not because of her skin color, but because of her complete lack of acting skills. McG's purpose was obvious - It wasn't to be PC; it was to bring in her MTV and music fanbase. Now if he would've gone for someone like Essence Atkins -

http://img105.imagevenue.com/loc419/th_28840_essence_atkins_003_122_419lo.jpg

- an actress who isn't famous, but one with an acting background, then I definitely would've supported the decision because she would've been qualified. I don't care if Superman is played by a White, Black, Indian, Asian, Latin, etc., male, so long as the person cast is awesome in the role. One of the best exampes I can think of is Michael Clark Duncan. While many a fanboy went ape-shit over his casting, I thought he was an awesome Kingpin and I'd love to see him used (even in cameos) in other Marvel films like Punisher 2 or FF:ROTSS.

The only problem I have with this Jessica Jones situation is that it's way too early in Cage's life story to introduce her into it. It's akin to having Robin in the first Batman film. You don't do that because first and foremost, you have to establish who and what Batman is, and how alone his crimefighting efforts are, before bringing in Dick Grayson. I don't care if the woman cast as Jessica Jones is a 6'2" dark-skinned Brazilian, if she's right for the part, then so be it. My only concern is her inclusion in the film at all.Slightly OT but I've never liked this chick. She's gotta be close to my age (mid 30's) and yet she keeps getting high school/college age roles.

[StoneGold]

Slightly OT but I've never liked this chick. She's gotta be close to my age (mid 30's) and yet she keeps getting high school/college age roles.
But the could have saved money by screening the film on her forehead.


I don't know if that's just the picture, but it looks massive there.

[maczero]

But the could have saved money by screening the film on her forehead.


I don't know if that's just the picture, but it looks massive there.Ha!:D So wrong. Seriously, she's not unattractive but I just don't think she's that good of an actress. Also she reminds me of a chick from high school that broke my heart.

[StoneGold]

Ha!:D So wrong. Seriously, she's not unattractive but I just don't think she's that good of an actress. Also she reminds me of a chick from high school that broke my heart.
Like I said, it could be the angle, or what appears to be the photoshop job to remove any contours from her face, but she looks like the Leader in drag there. The old Leader, where he had the cylindrical head, not the one with an ass on his head.

[Brandon McKinnis]

I've always hated that girl's fivehead....she needs to do something with her hair to minimize that.

[Tish-the-Scorpion]

just to let you guys now i think they removed KD Aubert's name from the luke cage IMDB page.



(hey that rhymed :D)