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Netflix’s ‘Death Note’ ignites fan outrage over white lead


Remember “Death Note”? Oh, it’s just one of the most popular Japanese manga and anime franchises ever. And like anything that’s made more than a decent buck, it’s getting turned into an American feature film.

An American feature film starring non-Asian leads, as can be seen in the teaser trailer for Netflix’s live-action rendition.

Because main protagonist Light Yagami is Japanese in the original manga and anime, the casting of American actor Nat Wolff (“The Fault in Our Stars,”) in the role has been seen by a number of netizens as extremely problematic. The character’s name has also been changed to Light Turner.

And thus, another whitewashing controversy is born.

Irate netizens are taking to Twitter to air their disappointment with the casting choice.

 

 

 

 

There’s even an online petition to boycott the show. “Death Note shouldn’t be cast with all white actors—as it goes against the very soul of the story,” it says.

Hollywood has often cast white actors in lead roles that many feel should have gone to actors of color.

In the 2016 fantasy film “Gods of Egypt,” a bunch of white people played Egyptian gods—a real oddity, since Egyptian hieroglyphs often portray these gods as having darker skin.

In “Star Trek: Into Darkness,” Benedict Cumberbatch assumes the role of Khan Noonien Singh, who everyone forgets is of Indian descent.

The movie “21,” which features white actors in the main roles, is based on a true story centering on Asian-American students and their casino heist.

Netflix’s “Death Note” has been likened to the upcoming Hollywood rendition of “Ghost in the Shell,” which is also under heavy fire for its casting of Scarlet Johansson in the lead role of the Major.

Other netizens, however, have come forward with valid points about why “Death Note” is different from “Ghost in the Shell” and other whitewashed movies.

For one, the Netflix show is an American remake of a Japanese intellectual property in the same way 2002’s “The Ring” is an Americanized version of “Ringu.”

In both instances, the setting is changed from Japan to the US, and its characters from Japanese to American.

Also, Nat Wolff and company aren’t playing Japanese characters—they’re playing characters rewritten as Americans.

Then again, others argue, “American” doesn’t and shouldn't always have to mean “white.”

 

 

Strangely enough, no one is complaining that the detective L, another important Japanese character in “Death Note,” is being played by a black actor. In fact, people are applauding the casting of Keith Stanfield (“Short Term 12,” “Straight Outta Compton”) in the role.

There is one casting choice, however, that has made people ecstatic, and that is Willem Dafoe as the Shinigami Ryuk. Anyone who’s seen Dafoe’s Norman Osborn/Green Goblin in 2002’s “Spider-Man” will know he’s perfect as the grotesque death god, thanks to his creepy voice, grin, and laughter, and his exceptional acting skills.

The film also stars Margaret Qualley (“The Nice Guys”) as Mia Sutton (Misa Aname in the original material); Paul Nakauchi (“Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End”) as Watari; and Shea Whigham (“American Hustle”) as James Turner. Masi Oka of “Heroes” will also play a role in the show.

“Death Note” is based on Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata’s manga of the same name, which ran from 2003 to 2006, and was adapted into an anime between 2006 and 2007. It revolves around a genius high school student named Light Yagami, who comes upon a notebook that allows its owner to kill anybody whose name he writes in it. With such an incredible power in his hands, Light embarks on a personal quest to rid the world of those he feels undeserving of life.

The popularity of the series has seen it turned into video games, a musical, and the aforementioned Japanese live-action films. The upcoming “Death Note” from Netflix is its first Western adaptation.

“Death Note” is directed by Adam Wingard, who was responsible for several acclaimed horror films, such as “You’re Next,” and “The Guest,” and the recent “Blair Witch.”

“Death Note” makes its worldwide Netflix premiere on August 25. — BM, GMA News

Tags: netflix, anime, manga, deathnote
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