No, this isn’t me slamming race-swapping this time (though I’m still against it regardless of who the “victim” is), nor am I coming down against hiring famous actors. I have my favorites, too. However, Studio execs don’t seem to realize they’re not in the marketing business but in the storytelling business. This isn’t some new phenomenon, mind you. This goes as far back as celebrity actors, even in the old black and white movie days. There is a difference I feel, though. Back then they wanted a big name actor or actress but wanted him or her for a certain role, even if they had to create it. When it comes to licensed works these days they’ll alter the character for the sake of the actor rather than find the right actor to play the part.
That isn’t a commentary on the actor or actress because I’m speaking in generalities, not anyone specific. (I only chose the above image from my image library because it matches up.) We’ve also heard of roles being created to get a certain performer into the movie because they did so well in the auditions but didn’t fit any existing role. I get the feeling the big name being on the right talk show has superseded the need of getting the right actor for the part, and this is where the marketers are failing the story.\
