Split from racially incorrect hobbits thread: racially incorrect Conan adaptations

[Fintorah]

Then why were you claiming that this Jason fellow fits 'the mould' if the mould doesn't really matter? In addition to the passage I cited describing Conan's eyes as blue, consider this one:

Conan was a Cimmerian by birth, one of those fierce moody hillmen who dwelt in their gloomy, cloudy land in the north.

The Scarlet Citadel

Realistically, if we're going to stick to 'the mould', how much does this actor fit the description of a blue-eyed man from a dark and northern land?

I realise you did specify "better than Schwarzenegger did" but...how? By the way, I'm not a fan of Schwarzenegger as Conan either.

Because Schwarzenegger's simply not a realistic Conan. He gives me more of the impression of "oversized Down's syndrome" than powerful Northern warrior with a mind as sharp as his blade. Maybe it's because I didn't like the movie in the first place... only thing decent about it was the soundtrack.

[Turkophagos]

Because Schwarzenegger's simply not a realistic Conan. He gives me more of the impression of "oversized Down's syndrome" than powerful Northern warrior with a mind as sharp as his blade.

I hope you like the new Conan better:

only thing decent about it was the soundtrack.

Written by Basil Poledouris.

[Svanhild]

That´s true, but still as far as I know, Conan wasn´t firmly described as a pale european...

But he has been described as European. The new actor who plays Conan is mixed.

Listen, in Howard's universe, Conan belongs to the people of Cimmeria. The Cimmerians are brutal and brute people from the mountains of the North of Hyboria. They life in cold valleys with ice, glaciers and frozen forests. They are at war with the Ymirs and the noble Aquilonians see them as Barbarians.

Robert E. Howard described the Cimmerian culture as a mix of Celtic and Germanic elements. While Conan isn't described as a blonde, blue-eyed Nordman, he's a Nordman with pale skin, cold, dark eyes and black hairs. There're Celts who look like that.

The Aquilonians in Howard's universe resemble ancient Romans and their culture. The Stygians resemble Arabs, their main god Set has strong similarities with Allah.

A dark-haired, dark-eyed European with pale skin could play Conan. But this club med-like mixed rasta actor belongs to the animateur team of a 4-star hotel in the middle of the Carribean sea but not in a movie about Conan as Conan.

Written by Basil Poledouris.

Probably the most important Greek achievement of the last 1700 years. Respect!

[Treffie]

I doubt I can laugh about it, the issue isn't supposed to be funny at all. I've read the books and love the old movies and the MMORPG, but this mixed rasta kills it.

Oh come on, where's your sense of humour? We all know that Hollywood is rubbish at accurate depiction.

The Prince Of Persia didn't look very Persian to me and neither did Perseus (Clash Of The Titans) look very Greek, In fact, I think Sam Worthington would have been better playing a Celtic hero.

[Magister Eckhart]

After this incident I'm rather sure we actually will see some ethnic minorities in The Hobbit. Now the media are on it, now the cast needs some ethnic quota or the PC pressure becomes too high. Sad world.

There's a new Conan movie in development, and guess who is supposed to play the role of Conan the Barbarian? Jason Momoa.



You don't believe me? Watch the trailer: http://filmkinotrailer.com/2010/07/c...ilm-fotos.html




They kill the epic plot of Robert E. Howard with an ethnic rastaman. Vomit, guys. Just vomit.

I'm not sure Arnold really is much better, but what do you expect? He is "the barbarian" and even with our contemporary "racially-friendly" outlook, the dark people still ring as "barbarian" or "savage" to us.

The only place that preserves Robert E. Howard's epicness are his original works, really.

[Murphy]

Rand al'Thor owned Conan the Barbarian so bad in a fantasy cage-match Robert E. Howard himself couldn't recall Conan.

Robert Jordan 1 - 0 Barbarians .

[Radola]

But he has been described as European. The new actor who plays Conan is mixed......

Okay, you´re right, I must admit, that I don´t remember so many details, it´s a long time from the moment I read the book myself. But the main "message" in my message was that destroying Conan´s character is a problem, but much smaller problem than If they destroy and one day they might do it, some really important persons and symbols like Brunhild or Siegfried from The Nibelungs...

[GregSamsa]

mmm.....To be honest I don't have any problem with the new Conan.There is an undeniable "exotic" element to it, but to be fair (and this is just a subjetive opinion) seems to me closer to the tanned barbarian depicted on many Frank Frazetta's illustrations.

[Magister Eckhart]

Actually, I take what I just said back; they're NOT trying to pass him as some kind of Africanoid.


His ancestry is actually quite respectable if you ask me. Might not be all European, and he might be slightly dark, but good god, if another Idris Elba playing Heimdall, "the whitest of the gods" thing was happening here, I'd be pissed too. Luckily it's not, and I'm amped for this movie.

Judging from the first picture, they could just as well have chosen Gerry Butler to play the role. I have to admit, they gave him blue eyes and they didn't dred up his hair like Svanhild made it appear-- I have fewer problems with this casting.

[Debaser11]

I have to admit, he does look like some illustrations I've seen of Conan. But we shall see when the movie comes out. We shall see. He'll need to talk right and act right as well as look right. Moving images and stills are very different. But I can stomach this a bit better. I'm holding my breath about the actual movie and how much they are likely to pervert Howard's ideas now (which are vastly more important than what shade the actor's skin is alone).

I still think a white man should have been Conan, though.