MovieChat Forums > Descendants (2015) Discussion > Why does it matter???

Why does it matter???

posted 9 years ago by NaILs_FoR_bReAkFaSt
9 replies | jump to latest

I don't get why people are so bent out of shape over Cruela being black... Her race doesn't impact her character so why is it such a big deal they casted someone black. I feel like judging from her personality she was like a black woman in different aspects where she didn't HAVE to be white in a new storyline. Her race didn't make the character, her personality makes the character and as much as this movie was cringeworthy for many reasons, the casting choice of her being black wasn't something that even mattered. I liked that it played off her style colors where her and her son were black and white (skin tones). The same with the sleeping beauty family where I don't see their race having anything to do with the actual characters themselves. Of course taking someone like Mulan, Jafar and so on wouldn't make sense because their characters are surrounded by a specific ethnic group. It wouldn't make sense to cast someone white, like many other movies do (hmm Last Air Bender). Disney did a decent job diversifying its characters to be accepting to all ethnicities. There are so many fairytales focused around "white" or "caucasian" characters so it is only fair they try and change it up so that other ethnicities have people to relate to in their films. It's called modernizing to best fit with the times.

Water on the weave!! Im melting, im melting!

[–] LoBo_77018 9 years ago

I thought all the bad parents were good except Jafar. He seemed off somehow.

[–] falynoliver73 9 years ago

Jafar reminded me more of the salesman at the beginning of Aladdin than jafar. I'm 34 and to me, when I was younger, jafar was the best villain ever. He was scary not goofy. Which is how descendants potrays him. Loved the movie but the characterization of jafar is way off IMO

[–] luiz4200 9 years ago

This is Jafar without any political or magical power.

[–] Ursulo911 8 years ago

That was because due to all the villains being imprisoned on the Isle without magic the villains over the years and by the time Descendants takes place have beasically become shadows over their former selves and are no longer the ultimately pure evil, havoc wreaking, menacingly monstrous villains they used to be. So it makes sense that Jafar is he way he is and that villains have lost their villainous mojo and are'nt the villains they used to be if that helps you at all to get insight of how it all works with Descendants and why the villains are'nt the same anymore.

[–] Mattfinbell 9 years ago

NaILs_FoR_bReAkFaSt
I don't get why people are so bent out of shape over Cruela being black... Her race doesn't impact her character so why is it such a big deal they casted someone black

Just like Shaft? since it doesnt impact his RACE or Falcon?
Because if thats the case I want a white falcon

I feel like judging from her personality she was like a black woman in different aspects where she didn't HAVE to be white in a new storyline. Her race didn't make the character, her personality makes the character and as much as this movie was cringeworthy for many reasons, the casting choice of her being black wasn't something that even mattered.

Oh yes it did since you would be upset of the Jefferson where white on white

I liked that it played off her style colors where her and her son were black and white (skin tones). The same with the sleeping beauty family where I don't see their race having anything to do with the actual characters themselves. Of course taking someone like Mulan, Jafar and so on wouldn't make sense because their characters are surrounded by a specific ethnic group.

how is it speific since there are mixed raced people in CHina Hmongs are white looking blonde hair and very slanted eyes

It wouldn't make sense to cast someone white, like many other movies do (hmm Last Air Bender). Disney did a decent job diversifying its characters to be accepting to all ethnicities. There are so many fairytales focused around "white" or "caucasian" characters so it is only fair they try and change it up so that other ethnicities have people to relate to in their films. It's called modernizing to best fit with the times.

Oh last Air bender is a bad example when the cast almost entire cast look white on white

Plus the movie did have diversity just not the diversty you liked

No its being PC and stepping on the toes of whites

Look like Tarzan talk like Jane! HAHA

[–] rockyroseling 9 years ago

My question is why did they change the races in the first place? I have no problem with her being black, but she was white in the original, so why did they feel the need to change it? I don't really care about what race they are, but why the change?

[–] Ddey65 9 years ago

I think you just answered the OP's question, and anyone who might've had the same question about it. Having said that, I try to overlook a lot of racial issues within the entertainment industry, unless it's something blatantly ridiculous and offensive like a minstrel show.

Consider the play "Hello, Dolly," and the movie it was based on. Originally on stage in 1964 with Carol Channing in the lead role. A few years later it was revived with an all black cast starring Pearl Bailey. The woman blew everyone out of the water.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4eS0x16v1k

[–] Thenewnexus 9 years ago

Booboo Stewart as Jay was innacurate casting though since he is Eurasian and Native playing an Arab character

Class is Pain 101. Your instructor is Casey Jones

[–] magnusplin 8 years ago

Cruella and Aurora's mother being black don't bother me. The movie being absolute *beep* bothers me.