No Asians in Cast ‘The Hunger Games’ Film

By Dino-Ray | Wednesday, April 27, 2011 | 17 Comments

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8a hungergames No Asians in Cast The Hunger Games Film As an avid Hunger Games fan, I have been obsessively following the binge casting that has happened this week for the movie adaptation.

This past week alone, they cast four tributes (fans of the book will know what I am talking about; otherwise click here for a full synopsis of the story) and Prim, the sister of the main character Katniss — who will be played by Academy Award nominee Jennifer Lawrence. Lawrence will be the angsty heroine in a dystopian, teenagers-fight-to-the-death world where she will be in a love triangle (as all young adult novel heroines are) with two dudes named Peeta and Gale (who will be played by Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth).

There has been mixed reactions to the casting and, as an Asian American, it is my ethnic responsibility to ask, “Where are the Asians?” Even though the casting isn’t completely finished, I shouldn’t beat a dead horse when it comes to this issue, but like I said, it is an ETHNIC RESPONSIBILITY. Otherwise, I would be a bad Asian and get crucified for my lack of cultural pride.

I don’t really know if there is a place for Asian American in this cast — no — I take that back. While I was reading the books, I pictured the character of Peeta as an Indian dude. I don’t know why. I just did.

But back to the matter at hand — could there be an Asian cast in any of these roles? I pose this question to Hunger Games fans out there — and I know there are a lot of you. Perhaps Maggie Q? Grace Park? John Cho? That one Asian dude in that one cell phone commercial?

Many Asian Americans voice their frustration about Asians not being cast in movies, so this is an opportunity for everyone to speak up. Who would be your fantasy Asian Hunger Games cast? The characters in the book are racially ambiguous so everyone should have a field day with this.

Who are some young Hollywood Asian actors who can carry this franchise? Are there any? Please enlighten me. If not, we can always see if Russell Wong is available.

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Facebook Comments (Beta)

http://www.erniehsiung.com ErnieHsiung

Okay, as someone who has never read the books before… this is Battle Royale with the dystopia and without the adorable schoolgirl outfits. AmIRight?
DinoRay

You pretty much hit the nail on the head. Side note: They have continued to cast more people: http://insidemovies.ew.com/2011/04/26/the-hunger-games-district-3-tributes-cast/

I think I am officially the 8Asians.com HUNGER WHORE.
moye

@DinoRay “n the novel, Prescott’s character bids a heartbreaking goodbye to her parents and younger siblings after her name is called.” Well, spoiler alert.
moye

@DinoRay “n the novel, Prescott’s character bids a heartbreaking goodbye to her parents and younger siblings after her name is called.” Well, spoiler alert.
raymonst

i haven’t read the book, but it doesn’t look like it’s particularly “asian” (like airbender, for example). so… while i’d love to see a more diverse casting, it doesn’t piss me off quite as much.
DinoRay

She’s expendable. I don’t even think the District 3 tributes are crucial to the story (hence the unknown casting).

On a side note: I look like a Filipino Adam Levine.
http://www.erniehsiung.com/ Ernie H.

@moye @DinoRay Uhm, “spoiler alert” is whomever gets cast as the Asian WILL DIE IN THE MOVIE, SINCE EVERYONE EXCEPT FOR ONE* PERSON WILL DIE IN THE GAMES.

* OR WILL IT?! WHAT A TWIST!!
DinoRay

SPOILER ALERT: There’s lots of teenage angst in this series.
AsianOnYouTube

@ErnieHsiung Sounds more like Running Man with Arnold
Fia

@ErnieHsiung Almost. Kids in Battle Royale are given various everyday tools including a whisk as weapons to defend self or to kill. Kids in Hunger Games are given various everyday tools as well. Both games are televised. At least kids in HG enter the game fully aware. If anything, Hunger Games has more in common with Series 7: The Contenders than Battle Royale, Running Man and similar.
EmilyNakanoCo

Cast Amy Chua as one of the diehard district 1 or 2 moms.
krisi136

I can totally see Sophia Chua-Rubenfeld as one of the tributes!!And, okay, she’s HALF Asian. But still.
Pingback: The Hunger Games Finally Casts An Asian! | Books | 8Asians.com
JoshVega

I always pictured Clove being asian. Maybe it’s because her charachter reminded me of Chiaki Kuriyama’s character in Battle Royale.
dragsvart

i thi9nk the tribute called fox face would be a good role for an asian actress
powerbee1

We (asians) to need to rise up make our own damn films! I am sick and tired of the American entertainment industry not even trying to represent asians especially when those stories/cultures are assuredly asian. We (asians) are not afraid to fight back DAMMIT!! Screw upcoming Akira film as well!!! They’re all scared!!
bonds.katarina

I totally agree and I’m not even asian. I am intact mixed black and white and its just not a Asian issue it is a minority issue. Everytime I see and asian person on film they represent some type of stereotype and same goes for black people. The only way the induatry will change if we let our opinions be known. That as the audience we don’t want to only see stereotypical behavior to represent us. I agree with your article. I’m sure there are Asian actors and actresses with tremendous talent. They just aren’t shown.

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