William Fichtner interview. Names Shredder.

[Galactus]

Originally Posted by Welmanshire

Yes I do. I'm sure some Asian actors tested for the part.

How are you sure? Are you connected to the production of the movie?

First off, I don't believe the Schraders ethnicity was touched on in that script. Secondly, they have rewritten the script. Remeber months back, when they shut production down? To overhaul the script?

Well he wasn't Oroku Saki, then again the name Schrader is of alien origin but the idea that a first generation Japanese man would be Hollywood's idea of US Military colonel is highly unlikely.

That's just like, your opinion, man.

Did I ever say otherwise? Unless you are working on the movie or know someone who is don't think yours has anymore validity than mine. Thus we are at a stalemate although given the reputation of Bay I don't think this is wild speculation.

BANE. I don't remember anyone complaining.

A lot of people would have peferred a definitely latin Bane's but he's not had much exposure outside the comics outside of the small role in Batman and Robin for people to care but more importantly his ethnicity is not intrinsic to his character in the same way as it is with Shredder. Not to mention they drew from a number of Bane stories from the comics in The Dark Knight Rises.

You know what, what you wrote there would have passed, 10, maybe 5 years ago. But these days, people working in a lot of these positions are people who have been raised on the Turtles and have a long term connection with the franchise.

Kind of like Transformers, yes? Then again Michael Bay and himself has admitted he was never a Transformers fan.

How old is Jonathan Leibesman again? 36? Same age as Justin Hartley who claims to be a fan. They must've been well in his teens when the TV show aired and probably way too old to be really into it and if either was a fan of the original comics you'd think they'd be was quick to tell us.

Not that this is important, writing, directing, acting are just jobs to a lot of people and not every job is going to be one you love, it doesn't mean they wont still do their best. However we've seen little to convice us these people even "get" it, if they did I doubt Schrader or alien turtles would even be an issue.

[Welmanshire]

Originally Posted by Galactus

How are you sure? Are you connected to the production of the movie?

You asked "do you really think they bothered seeking out any Japanese or asian actors?" and I do. How am I implying that I know for sure, or that I am connected to the production crew?

Originally Posted by Galactus

Well he wasn't Oroku Saki, then again the name Schrader is of alien origin but the idea that a first generation Japanese man would be Hollywood's idea of US Military colonel is highly unlikely.

So you admit that Schrader wasn't intrinsically white like you first inferred?

Originally Posted by Galactus

Did I ever say otherwise? Unless you are working on the movie or know someone who is don't think yours has anymore validity than mine. Thus we are at a stalemate although given the reputation of Bay I don't think this is wild speculation.

Did I imply otherwise? I feel as though you just wrote a paragraph confirming what I said with a meme. It's your opinion, it doesn't mean I have to agree with it.

Originally Posted by Galactus

A lot of people would have pefered a definitely latin Bane's but his ethnicity is not intrinsic to his character in the same way as it is with Shredder. Not to mention they drew from a number of Bane stories from the comics in The Dark Knight Rises.

Not that they explicitly said in the film that he wasn't of Latin decent. The mask covered his face and therefore you wouldn't know. You draw the conclusion that he is not of Latin decent because Hardy plays the character, instead of watching the character in the film.

Originally Posted by Galactus

Kind of like Transformers, yes? Then again Michael Bay and himself has admitted he was never a Transformers fan.

How old is Jonathan Leibesman again? 36? Same age as Justin Hartley who claims to be a fan. They must've been well in his teens when the TV show aired and probably way too old to be into it and if either was a fan of the original comics you'd think they'd be was quick to tell us.

Not that this is important, writing, directing, acting are just jobs to a lot of people and not every job is going to be one you love, it doesn't they wont still do their best. However we've seen little to convice us these people even "get" it, if they did I doubt Schrader or alien turtles would even be an issue.

That point was made towards the people who had been allowed on set and had reported favourably about what was going on. Not necessarily Bay or Liebesman, who I agree, are in a position where they are going to say they are fans regardless.

[Lord Nightwalker]

Originally Posted by The Stryker

A white guy playing a japanese guy is almost as bad as a white guy playing a native american in a big budget motion picture.

Who would do that kind of thing?

lol Nicely done.

[Lord Nightwalker]

The problem I have with Schr...Instead of Shred, is that in the leaked script he wasn't realy the Shredder. He was a Lord Zedd knock off that Raph dubbed "Shredder" The ninja element had been completely done away with. The Iconic villian is no more.

And there are American ninja. And Riccardo Zappata, a Colombian ninja wrote a rather good book titled "NINJA BLADE UNDER HEART". Just saying. lol

[Galactus]

Originally Posted by Welmanshire

You asked "do you really think they bothered seeking out any Japanese or asian actors?" and I do. How am I implying that I know for sure, or that I am connected to the production crew?

You saying "I'm sure some Asian actors tested for the part.". I wondered how you could be sure.

So you admit that Schrader wasn't intrinsically white like you first inferred?

Well he ended up being yellow but do you really think Scrader was supposed to be Japanese? If so why not call him Col. Saki?

I feel as though you just wrote a paragraph confirming what I said with a meme. It's your opinion, it doesn't mean I have to agree with it.

What did I say that was a meme? The idea that actors are headhunted and then finding role that will fit or writing or role specificaly for them is not unheard of in Hollywood. I doubt anyone thinks the role of a Japanese ninja and William Fichter comes to mind.

Not that they explicitly said in the film that he wasn't of Latin decent. The mask covered his face and therefore you wouldn't know. You draw the conclusion that he is not of Latin decent because Hardy plays the character, instead of watching the character in the film.

Very true. The biggest thing is his accent but you're right, he could have been latin and they never said what country The Pit was in so it could've been Santa Prisca. My point was with Bane it didn't matter as his while nice if they definitely stated were he was from his ethnicity is not important to his overall story which I felt they got mostly "right".

That point was made towards the people who had been allowed on set and had reported favourably about what was going on. Not necessarily Bay or Liebesman, who I agree, are in a position where they are going to say they are fans regardless.

We know even less about these people or whether they are genuine fans or what criteria they have for judging. Also after getting an exclusive invite to the set are they really going to trash it?

What exactly did they have to go on. Seeing them film a scene? What kind of scene? Some converstaions with the cast were they the usual stuff about being how the fans will love it etc

After aliens and Schrader nonesense I think myself and a lot of fans are going to need something more concrete if they want to earn a bit of faith from us.

[Welmanshire]

Originally Posted by Galactus

You saying "I'm sure some Asian actors tested for the part.". I wondered how you could be sure.

I used the wrong turn of phrase. My apologies if it caused confusion.

Originally Posted by Galactus

Well he ended up being yellow but do you really think Scrader was supposed to be Japanese? If so why not call him Col. Saki?

I don't know what race he was meant to be. But it sounds to me that you are doing your own "whitewashing" if you automatically branded Schrader as white. How is the name "Schrader" to white culture like "Saki"
is to Japanese culture?

Originally Posted by Galactus

What did I say that was a meme? The idea that actors are headhunted and then finding role that will fit or writing or role specificaly for them is unheard of in Hollywood. I doubt anyone thinks the role of a Japanese ninja and William Fichter comes to mind.

You originally wrote -
"Originally Posted by Galactus
I really don't think they ever considered a Japanese Shredder. They cast the movie with actors they wanted and then considered parts that could fit. If there were none they would simply change them."
To which I replied (with a meme) -
That's just like, your opinion, man.

You then reiterated my point by posting -
"Originally Posted by Galactus
Did I ever say otherwise? Unless you are working on the movie or know someone who is don't think yours has anymore validity than mine. Thus we are at a stalemate although given the reputation of Bay I don't think this is wild speculation."
To which i replied -
Did I imply otherwise? I feel as though you just wrote a paragraph confirming what I said with a meme. It's your opinion, it doesn't mean I have to agree with it.

Originally Posted by Galactus

We know even less about these people or whether they are genuine fans or what criteria they have for judging. Also after getting an exclusive invite to the set are they really going to trash it?

What exactly did they have to go on. Seeing them film a scene? What kind of scene? Some converstaions with the cast were they usual stuff about being how the fans will love it etc

One of them saw the designs of the Turtles. why would they make mention at all if it was crp? Just sucking up the rears of people like Bay and Liebesman? I doubt it.

Originally Posted by Galactus

After aliens and Schrader nonesense I think myself and a lot of fans are going to need something more concrete if they want to earn a bit of faith from us.

Trailers are relatively concrete, thats what I'm waiting for.

[Galactus]

Originally Posted by Welmanshire

I used the wrong turn of phrase. My apologies if it caused confusion.

That's okay.

I don't know what race he was meant to be. But it sounds to me that you are doing your own "whitewashing" if you automatically branded Schrader as white. How is the name "Schrader" to white culture like "Saki" is to Japanese culture?

It's not. It's fictional name for an alien but I'd argue it could pass as an American name better than it could for a Japanese one. If the alien passing himself off as a Japanese man I think the script writer would give him the name Saki.

One of them saw the designs of the Turtles. why would they make mention at all if it was crp? Just sucking up the rears of people like Bay and Liebesman? I doubt it.

The designs of the turtles have never been much of a worry of mine although I didn't care that Bay described them as adorable and we don't know the criteria for how this journalist judges the designs or what his tastes are when it comes to turtles.

Also why wouldn't they suck up to Bay and Leibesman? To get more exclusives for their sites in the future not just in Bay or Leibesman movies but in general. It's rather bad form to bite the hands that feed them and what studio would ever invite them down or give them exclusive info if they suddenly turned round and started trashing their projects?

Trailers are relatively concrete, thats what I'm waiting for.

Trailers are notoriously deceptive...even for good movies.

[Genesis]

Originally Posted by raphroehler2003

Why does this remind me of the Mandarin in Iron Man 3? lol

That's what I was thinking. Hollywood seems to be on a roll with giving the roles of awesome Asian villains to older white guys.

As long as he doesn't turn out to be an actor paid by Krang to antagonize the Turtles and draw them out of hiding, I think I can stomach it.

[CyberCubed]

Whitewashing disgusts me.

[alliance]

didn't read entire thread but did anyone suggest perhaps Shredders mum is Japanese but his Father is White or something..

[Candy Kappa]

Originally Posted by The Stryker

A white guy playing a japanese guy is almost as bad as a white guy playing a native american in a big budget motion picture.

Who would do that kind of thing?

Lone Ranger? Isn't Depp part Native American, like 1/18th Cherokee?

No, wait. Due to the movie he's been adopted as a honorary son of the Comanche. I guess that solves everything. Fichtner could be adopted by a Japanese family and it is all forgiven.

[Slap-Happy]

Something that could be interesting is the idea of an American obsessed with Japanese culture, specifically the legends of ninja and takes that obsession to the next level, trying to emulate it through his military unit and armor.

[Candy Kappa]

That would be a perfect opportunity to do Hun, after he left Shredder, he did have an obsession on being called master. he could easily be a gang leader with strong Weabootendencies

[Shark_Blade]

Originally Posted by alliance

didn't read entire thread but did anyone suggest perhaps Shredders mum is Japanese but his Father is White or something..

Aha. That could work.

He can still retain his japanese heritage inherited from one of his parents.

[alexcf]

This was posted over at Io9 -

"
His name will still be Oroku Saki, As a baby he was given up for adoption and was adopted by Japanese people, who according to Michael Bay are all secretly either Proud Samurai Warriors or Sneaky Ninja Clan Assassins.

His adoptive mother will have been a sneaky ninja who fell for his proud samurai father, but unfortunately for them the evil Ninja Clan forces women to be infertile, so they adopt the foreign baby and teach him both the ways of the Samurai and the ways of the Ninja. Eventually the Ninja clan finds and kills his rogue parents, and in a fit of anger, Uroku massacres the entire leadership of the Ninja and positions himself as the new uncontested leader of the Foot Clan.


I saw a script leak"

[Candy Kappa]

sounds unhealthy for a clan to make their women unfertile. I guess the men have to outsource for more clan members?

[Shark_Blade]

Sounds legit.

I'm fine if it's true.

[Powder]

Why go so out of their way to write a new backstory for a white guy when they could have just gotten a good Japanese actor? Ugh.

It's not a bad origin given the racial circumstances, but it just seems so unnecessary.

[Colonel Schrader]

Originally Posted by Powder

Why go so out of their way to write a new backstory for a white guy when they could have just gotten a good Japanese actor? Ugh.

It's not a bad origin given the racial circumstances, but it just seems so unnecessary.

cause they want to do something new.. why the same old tired story again and again..
if that leak is true, sounds good to me.

[CinematicESP]

Perhaps they've gone with a reincarnation concept similar to the one in the IDW comics, and Fichtner plays a guy who's obsessed with Japanese and ninja culture because he's the reincarnation of Oroku Saki?