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Jordan Peele: "I'm not going to cast white males in leads. I've seen that movie before."

posted 6 years ago by samoanjoes (57047)
191 replies | jump to latest

He actually said this. There are so many things wrong with this. First, there is definitely subconscious bias. Everyone has it. That's why you so often see white directors casting white leads, black directors casting black leads and so on. But to say that you're actively not going to cast a specific demographic is no longer
subconscious bias, it's discrimination. And worse, he has no problem saying it out loud.

Second, does this mean he's not even allowing white men to audition? What if he does and they have a riveting audition? Is he just going to go with a black dude even know he wasn't the best fit for the role?

Third, what if a white man auditions and he is disabled? Is he going to show him the door? Disabled actors are given less opportunity than any other demographic. Imagine the headline now: "Jordan Peele ignores disabled actor for being white". Such optics surely wouldn't look too good.

Four, it's funny how he chooses race as his standard because he's claiming to give minorities a chance. But when it comes to directors, straight, able-bodied males are the overwhelming majority of directors out there and Jordan Peele is all three of those. So it's not okay to hire a white male for a role because there are too many of them, but he is completely okay with being a straight, able-bodied male director.

I hate when people try to be a voice for oppression, but end up being more ignorant than the people they're claiming are.

Here's a link to the article:
https://theplaylist.net/jordan-peele-white-dudes-leads-20190327/

[–] MovieManCin2 (26342) 6 years ago

You really stirred things up with your intelligent and insightful post, Sam! And that's a good thing. And posters are revealing their ignorance left and right, which is great to see!

😎

[–] samoanjoes (57047) 6 years ago

I have nothing against Jordan Peele. I'm actually pulling for him. But people were making this about "white people have so much representation, so why can't he help out minorities?" But it goes further than that. Passing over white people also means he is passing over disabled white people, gay white people, transgender white people, white people growing up poor, white people who grew up abused...

[–] MovieManCin2 (26342) 6 years ago

Well said Sam, but I am not giving Peele a pass on this. What he said is racism, and racism is always bad
regardless of who is espousing it.

😐

[–] Frogarama (12942) 6 years ago

I wouldn't celebrate about MovieMan loving your thread, he has posted racist trash here before, slammed Obama with racist comments, called Michelle Obama a tranny, etc.

Oh and if you disagree with him once, ever, you're on his ignore list permanently, because he can't handle disagreement.

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

Lol yup, I am on his ignore list and I'm just fine with that.

[–] Frogarama (12942) 6 years ago

It's a mutual benefit, definitely.

[–] somesunnyday (2078) 6 years ago

In his own words in the full context...

“The way I look at it, I get to cast black people in my movies. I feel fortunate to be in this position where I can say to Universal, ‘I want to make a $20 million horror movie with a black family.’ And they say yes.”

Get over it people!

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

Why does he have to bring it up like this though? I suppose he didn't get the complaints he had planned on when people turned out to instead be really hyped over this. He wanted to provoke but it backfired. Just make the movie and people are gonna notice when they watch it. He is the one who makes a thing about races here and not the so called racists.

[–] Catbookss (13664) 6 years ago

Ugh! That'll teach me to read the actual article before responding. He did say, in part, what's in the OP's title, but it was taken out of context, and was speaking specifically about his *next* movie, one specific movie!

"But don’t go expecting Peele to go off to make the next major blockbuster film with a studio-approved white male lead. No, the filmmaker has other ideas in mind.

“I don’t see myself casting a white dude as the lead in my movie. Not that I don’t like white dudes,” he said. “But I’ve seen that movie.”"

😐

[–] samoanjoes (57047) 6 years ago

Yes but right near the end of the article it says there is no word on what his next movie will be and that he has various stuff lined up.

[–] Frogarama (12942) 6 years ago

So how does he make himself more acceptable to the whiteys then, massa? Obviously these dark skinned types need to be ordered around like the old days, they can't go speaking their own ideas.

I like how you really can't focus on "give chances to straight white guys" because that's ridiculous, so you focus on the "able-bodied" part. It's never good enough, huh?

Come on Jordan, if you don't cast only black people in wheelchairs, then you're ignorant trash!

Fucking ridiculous.

[–] samoanjoes (57047) 6 years ago

That's not what I said. I said there are white people with disabilities, there are white people who are gay, white people who are transgender, and by eliminating the option of not having any white people as leads, people like white people with disabilities, won't get that opportunity in a Jordan Peele movie because he's already said he wouldn't cast them for being white. I never said that he had to cast disabled people, I'm saying by purposely not casting whites is collateral damage to other forms of oppression. Oppression isn't only race.

[–] horrorfan000 (2317) 6 years ago

I understand his sentiment of wanting to afford POC with more opportunities but to outright say that he's excluding a specific race from leads in his films is incredibly racist.A white director would never get away with making a statement like that.

[–] samoanjoes (57047) 6 years ago

Definitely. He even says "I don't hate white dudes", but isn't that the equivalent of "I'm not racist but..."

[–] Catbookss (13664) 6 years ago

That isn't what he said. He said "Not that I don’t like white dudes."

I don't understand what your problem with him is, and why you're either taking what he said out of context, or changing it to be more sensational.

Seriously, this just isn't a big deal.

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

This!

[–] samoanjoes (57047) 6 years ago

There really isn't a difference between "I don't hate white dudes" and "Not that I don’t like white dudes." The point is that he needed to get it out there before he was accused of it. I responded to someone else here where I said I believe him. I don't think he has anything against white men, but to say his statement out loud causes problems.

[–] Catbookss (13664) 6 years ago

Yes, there is.

I don't hate apples = I don't like them, but I don't feel strongly enough about them to hate them.

Not that I don't like apples (often followed by ", I do) = I like them.

You don't see the difference?

Anyway, it only causes problems if people allow it to cause problems. It was nothing to get upset over. I can't believe this thread is so long, and I can't believe I've contributed to it being even longer 😄

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

I can't believe this thread is so long, and I can't believe I've contributed to it being even longer 😄

I feel the same way. I find conversations like this super annoying but I can't help but chime in meaning I'm in fact part of the problem lol.

And totally agree with you...if Peele's words were truly as bad as they want others to believe, they would feel no need to embellish them.

[–] Catbookss (13664) 6 years ago

I know, we've become part of the problem 😄. Oh well, at this point, in for a penny, in for a pound, right?

It's a big fuss over nothing. Some, especially the OP, were offended, and now appears to feel he needs to keep justifying his offendedness.

[–] samoanjoes (57047) 6 years ago

Of course he feels strongly enough because he brought it up when no one asked him. Both phrases indicate that he doesn't have a disdain for white men. The difference between the two is minimal.

You don't think there is a problem? If a disabled actor auditioned for a lead in his film and Peele said "no, you're white and I'd rather cast a black man", you don't think it's a problem that he rejected a disabled actor just for the colour of his skin? What if a disabled director said "I don't cast black dudes. I only cast disabled whitepeople"? Isn't that discrimination as well?

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

The difference between the two is minimal.

If this was true you wouldn't have felt the need to change it. But you did. Because it's not minimal.

[–] samoanjoes (57047) 6 years ago

I didn't feel the need to change it, I just quoted from memory.

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

Then you didn't quote him at all. You paraphrased it and poorly.

[–] Catbookss (13664) 6 years ago

Again, the way you paraphrased, I don't hate apples = I don't like them, but I don't feel strongly enough about them to hate them.

Which is where you're getting the "feels strongly enough," and isn't what he said.

One implies like for, the other implies not as strong as hate, but could be dislike, indifference, or (unlikely but possible) like. No one who likes X is going to say "I don't hate X."

Furthermore, he wasn't speaking about how he felt about "white dudes" in general, he was specifically talking about casting white male leads in his prospective movies. Obviously he was saying that in his mind, at this point (hence the "I don't see myself"), he has in mind to make movies that center around black leads. So what?

What if what he has in mind is to tell a story about a black woman, and a white woman (foolishly) insists on auditioning for it? What if a disabled white man insists on auditioning for it? Or Lassie? Isn't that discrimination as well??

Come on, Samoan, lighten up 🙃

[–] samoanjoes (57047) 6 years ago

Again, the way you paraphrased, I don't hate apples = I don't like them, but I don't feel strongly enough about them to hate them.

Not necessarily. The other day a friend of mine offered me some Doritos and my other friend said that there was no point of asking me because I hate them. I replied that I didn't hate them. In fact, I love them. I don't know why he thought I hated them, but I told him that I don't hate them and said it in a way where I was confused why he would think that. Saying "I don't hate them" doesn't automatically mean that I don't love them.

Now, unless the role specifically states for a character to be black, then why wouldn't a white woman have every right to audition? Let's not look at this from a Hollywood perspective. Let's say I open a coffee shop and I say I only want minorities (of any kind, race, religion, disability) working for me so I can give them an opportunity. Now if a white man in a wheelchair comes up to me and asks for a job, I tell them: "sorry, I only want black, disabled people to have a chance". You're fine with giving this marginalized demographic a change, but not that marginalized demographic because they're white despite being disabled. That is the epitome of discrimination.

[–] Honeywolf3 (41) 6 years ago

So we are going to ignore the many times whites folks have been vocal about excluding black folks from many things throughout the centuries... Really.....

Since we are talking about MODERN day lets focus on ACADEMY AWARD WINNER, RIDLEY SCOTT and a little movie called GODS OF EGYPT.

EGYPT....... A country that is located in the continent of AFRICA.......

AFRICA...... the continent were the children of the sun live.....whom....are DARK SKINNED &/or have sun kissed skin.

When asked why his leads are white with the exception of Chadwick.... he said... the studio wouldn't finance the movie if he didn't have any bankable stars. THIS MAN KNEW IT WAS WRONG!!!! but because he wanted to make this film.... he did it anyway. Shit like this, is why people like Robert Townsend, Spike Lee, Tyler Perry, Jordan Peele, & Issa Rae are creating their stories. Then when we complain, we're told to create our own stuff, when we do, we have comments like these. You can't exclude us and then get mad when the shoe is on the other foot.

Kevin Smith did the same thing. He said he didn't see any stories that represent him so he create his own. He's been very vocal about this and I've never seen anybody come for him about his white leads. Its always about how his movies suck.

[–] samoanjoes (57047) 6 years ago

That is a separate argument. Not hiring actors because they're not bankable is different than saying you won't hire someone because of race.

[–] catsidhe (1649) 6 years ago

How much control does he have over that new Twlight Zone thing? Episode 2 had a whole lotta white guys in it...

[–] samoanjoes (57047) 6 years ago

I guess technically, Jordan Peele himself is the black lead he is referring to. He's not a lead, just in every episode.

[–] PeteRose (2893) 6 years ago

Can't say that's a great business move, but he's certainly entitled to cast whoever he wants. Despite being a white man, I can't tell you how sick of white men I am. I love to see different people and different cultures front and center, and we've been ODing on white people like they're going out of style. I hate to break it to you, but white people suck, and Jordan Peele doesn't really have to explain himself to you.

[–] samoanjoes (57047) 6 years ago

Don't get me wrong, I have no problem if he wants to cast black people in lead roles, but to have this essentially as a rule, makes no sense. But like I wrote in my original comment, there are white people who are disabled who would miss out on the opportunity to star in one of his movies because of his skin colour.

[–] PeteRose (2893) 6 years ago

Again, if he wants to make a rule, he can and he will. Your OP is intentionally misleading and an obvious distortion of what he said.

[–] samoanjoes (57047) 6 years ago

My OP is not misleading at all. His quote is:

“I don’t see myself casting a white dude as the lead in my movie. Not that I don’t like white dudes,” he said. “But I’ve seen that movie.” He continued, “It really is one of the best, greatest pieces of this story, is feeling like we are in this time — a renaissance has happened and proved the myths about representation in the industry are false.”

He's pretty much saying he knows in advance that he has no intention to do so. Really what he's saying is: gay white man? No. Disabled white man? No. White Muslim man? No. Wouldn't casting a gay man not be representation? Wouldn't casting a disabled man not be representation? He doesn't see himself hiring these people because they're white.

Like I said in my original post, he's talking about representation and yet he's a male director. So far in his Twilight Zone series, there has yet to be a female director. He's doing this as a male creator of a show. He's nitpicking his argument.

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

Like I said in my original post, he's talking about representation and yet he's a male director. So far in his Twilight Zone series, there has yet to be a female director. He's doing this as a male creator of a show. He's nitpicking his argument.

Episode 4 set to air on 4/18 is directed by Ana Lily Amirpour. She's a woman. (This took me literally 30 seconds to check)

[–] samoanjoes (57047) 6 years ago

I checked on IMDb and it wasn't there. They had directing credits of the first few and two of the last three episodes.

Even if it is one or two, is that really representation though?

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

Even if it is one or two, is that really representation though?

I don't know, what percentage of working directors are women? How many episodes total are there going to be this season? Peele's comments have obviously pissed you off and you seem to be looking for other things to nitpick him on.

[–] samoanjoes (57047) 6 years ago

He's the one talking about representation but won't hire a white man as a lead. Like I said, you can be awhite, disabled man. You can be a white, gay man. They have every right to be represented too but won't just because of their race. There are so many variables to this that he's not considering.

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

lol whatever you say chief. All I can say as a white guy I have never found my race and gender to be under represented in movies and take no offense to Peele's words. I look forward to more of his work but boycott if it gives you some kind of peace of mind. To me this outrage is just plain silly.

[–] samoanjoes (57047) 6 years ago

Why would I boycott? And like I said, this is more than a race issue.

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

this is more than a race issue.

Nah, it's not.

[–] samoanjoes (57047) 6 years ago

Yes it is. If you are white and are gay, disabled, Muslim etc. you won't get a lead role in a Jordan Peele film because of your skin. It's ignorant on his part to assume that just because you are white, there aren't other ways you can feel oppressed.

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

Yes it is. If you are white and are gay, disabled, Muslim etc. you won't get a lead role in a Jordan Peele film because of your skin. It's ignorant on his part to assume that just because you are white, there aren't other ways you can feel oppressed.

This is just the most ridiculous argument I have ever heard. What kind of disabilities are you referring to? I don't see any director casting disabled leads (unless the role is of a disabled person and even then it's most often played by an able-bodied (usually white) person pretending to be disabled). And ah yes, the hoard of white Muslims in Hollywood who are going to be discriminated against because of this...I'm gonna piss my pants from laughing so hard. A black writer writes stories about black protagonists...the shock of the century!

In summation, despite your claims, yes this is just about race. You can try to dress it up by claiming gay people, muslims, disabled are being discriminated against but no one is buying it.

[–] samoanjoes (57047) 6 years ago

I don't care that a black actor is writing for black people, I care about his statements being ignorant. By the way, here is the disabilities (or at least one of) that I'm referring to: https://www.thedailybeast.com/lupita-nyongo-blasted-by-disability-groups-for-us-voice-mimicking-spasmodic-dysphonia-symptoms

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

Lol yeah Peele is a monster.

[–] samoanjoes (57047) 6 years ago

Now you're just putting words in my mouth. I never even said that he was a bad person or that I didn't like him.

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

Oh man you don't like when someone twists your words? I get that, none of us like to have our comments misrepresented. Then maybe you shouldn't misquote Peele's comment about not seeing himself casting a white dude as the lead in his movie and then twist it into him discriminating against, disabled, gay, Muslims, women.

[–] samoanjoes (57047) 6 years ago

There's a difference between me saying that he is discriminating against those demographics and him making a comment and not taking other things into consideration. If a man named Person A says "Person B shouldn't have killed Person C because murder is wrong" and then I tell him "it was self defence", his original comment is "ignorant" because he wasn't thinking that self defence was an option. His heart was in the right place by saying murder was wrong, but he also should have been aware of other reasons for doing so.

[–] Catbookss (13664) 6 years ago

I have to agree with Pete, Samoan. Your OP is misleading, and a distortion of what he really said.

Tempest in a teacup, as far as I'm concerned.

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

It makes me feel sad that he would have these thoughts ...
And sadder that he would say them out loud .
Forget the political arguments ;
It’s just not artistic and creative to make absolute statements like that and to vow to do something one way forever ;
And yes to me it’s hurtful and offensive that someone I admire and look up to as a writer would think like that ...
I know it’s naive to think that everyone is going to be colorblind;
But man that statement was upsetting to me and I definitely feel a certain way now ...

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

It’s just not artistic and creative to make absolute statements like that and to vow to do something one way forever ;

But he didn't vow to do something one way forever. He simply said he doesn't see himself casting a white male in the lead. He didn't vow never to do so. I'm guessing as a black man he's comfortable writing stories with a black protagonist. That seems perfectly understandable to me. There has been a lot of racial injustice throughout the years but white men not getting to play the lead in Jordan Peele movies really isn't one of them.

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

I still think it’s a close minded statement for a creative person to make

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

And personally I think it's being blown out of proportion (starting with the misquote in the OP....if what he said was truly so bad, why the need to embellish it?).

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

It’s a hurtful closeminded disappointing statement; you can defend it as much as you want but it is hurtful to me and a lot of others.

[–] catsidhe (1649) 6 years ago

EXACTLY, thank you!

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

Lol seriously as a white man I find it embarrassing to see outrage over stuff like this.

[–] catsidhe (1649) 6 years ago

I find it no less embarrassing as a white woman. 😅

People are WAY to ready to be outraged over anything these days.

Nobody can say a word wrong.

[–] KidDurango (23) 6 years ago

My opinion is, if you have a problem with him as a writer/producer because of what he said, then don’t see his movies.

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

I have a problem with him openly excluding people because of their skin color...
It’s a stupid thing to say and it’s definitely a double standard. If it doesn’t bother you, fine... I envy you. But I would be just as disappointed if a white man said the same thing. Jordan Peele seems so smart and talented...
So when he says stupid things like what he said; and I think it was completely stupid... it’s really disappointing. It just didn’t need to be said! At all!

[–] catsidhe (1649) 6 years ago

He only said he didn't see himself doing it. Not that he never would.

It's really not a big deal.

[–] samoanjoes (57047) 6 years ago

"I don't see myself working with an actor with a disability. I'm not saying I won't, I just don't think I will."

It sounds kind of weird when you say it like that. I know disabled actors don't have the same opportunity as other actors, but that goes back to what I said in my original post.

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

It is a dumb sounding thing to say...
It’s an ignorant statement
That didn’t need to be said. “ I’ve seen that movie before “...
come on! You’ve seen a movie starring a white guy before... What the hell does that even mean??
THAT movie starring the white guy... just not a nice thought to share

[–] KidDurango (23) 6 years ago

I think it was a very strange comment also. I seen Us and am still not sure if I liked it or not. I did like get out a lot. If he doesn’t step up his game for his next movie, then I’ll be waiting till dvd before I see it.