JK Rowling calls the critics "idiots" and "a bunch of racists."

[Playball40]

In Hermione's case her 'characteristics' were intelligence and wild hair.

While race per se shouldn't be a defining characteristic we do have a reasonable idea of what she looks like from the movies. Coming close to this look is to me part of the character, one should avoid casting people that look nothing like the established pattern.

Why should the casting choice of the first movie have anything to do with anything?

Was race or a particular look an integral part of the original story? No.

 

[Shadowy Man]

ETA: I'm not aware of any comic book fans who were upset with SLJ portraying Nick Fury in the movies, despite the fact that he is almost always white in the comics.

I think that's because there isn't a movie role out there that wouldn't be improved by having Samuel L. Jackson playing it. Just think about it.

 

[Playball40]

I believe, unsupported of course, that the issue is more racial than it is specific to established choices. If Hermione were cast as a little black girl in the movies, there'd probably still be outrage and people saying "that's not how I pictured her", even though her race isn't mentioned in the book. Look what happened with Rue in Hunger Games, even though she was basically described as black.

What about Dr. Who? A character who by definition changes form every couple of years. I'm sure there'll be outrage if The Doctor were ever cast as black, or, god forbid, a woman.- - - Updated - - -

The fact that it started out as a non-visual medium (book) and doesn't focus on race makes it especially hard for me to care at all about who is cast to play the role. It bothers me more when they suddenly take a character that started out in a visual medium and do it (or in the case where race is part of the story). If they are going to change the race of a well known cultural icon, such as say making Superman Asian, they should at least significantly modify the story to go with it or introduce a new character and build it to the same iconic status.

Was there a reason given in the Marvel movies why Nick Fury was played by Samuel Jackson?

Just a many fans WANT to see the Doctor as a minority or a woman. (just not a ginger!)

 

[The Colourful Jester]

Not to my knowledge, at least not before SLJ portrayed him on the screen.

In Marvel Ultimate series he's black.

According to the Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultimate_Nick_Fury

he was Designed specifically to look like Samuel Jackson, before that actor portrayed him in the movies.

Yep. But on Earth 616, the white Fury before he died had a black son who took his name.

It occurs to me now I've typed this, it doesn't add to the discussion.

 

[Keith&Co.]

It occurs to me now I've typed this, it doesn't add to the discussion.

Heh.
I should probably make that my signature.

 

[Jimmy Higgins]

ETA: I'm not aware of any comic book fans who were upset with SLJ portraying Nick Fury in the movies, despite the fact that he is almost always white in the comics.

I think that's because there isn't a movie role out there that wouldn't be improved by having Samuel L. Jackson playing it. Just think about it.

Dr. Who.

 

[Keith&Co.]

I think that's because there isn't a movie role out there that wouldn't be improved by having Samuel L. Jackson playing it. Just think about it.

Dr. Who.

What's wrong with 'get these motherfucking Daleks off my plane of existence?'