James Bond is one of the great characters of contemporary fiction. With decades behind him and many actors having portrayed him, Bond is the kind of character that will always create controversy. Although he has taken many forms, people have a very particular idea of who the character is and how he should be. Something that has prevented there from being different versions of him. For example, a female Bond. Or a Black one. An actor who could never be Bond. This is what Idris Elba talked about in an interview with GQ, where he confirmed that he was never among the […]
James Bond is one of the great characters of contemporary fiction. With decades behind him and many actors having portrayed him, Bond is the kind of character that will always create controversy. Although he has taken many forms, people have a very particular idea of who the character is and how he should be. This has prevented different interpretations of the same character. For example, a female Bond. Or a Black Bond.
An actor who could never be Bond
This is what Idris Elba talked about in an interview with GQ, where he confirmed that he was never on the list of candidates to play James Bond. The reason why the idea that he could play James Bond emerged, almost twenty years ago, was for very particular reasons. The first of these was Barack Obama’s victory in the 2008 elections, which gave a boost to black representation. The second was some statements from Daniel Craig suggesting that it would be interesting to see a black James Bond for the first time.
For her part, Elba believes that it would have been impossible. “I have always felt that it is not something realistic. James Bond was written the way it was for a reason. But I felt flattered by it. And also, I realistically think that some markets do not seek that,” she said regarding the possibility of becoming James Bond. Stating that there is no need to change Bond, “it’s so unrealistic that a touch of reality is good, but let’s not try to make it woke. I think it’s important that it remains pure as what it is: escapism.”
At 53 years old, even if there were interest on his part to be James Bond, he is no longer of the age to do so. Especially with the rumors that they are looking for a young actor to play the character, following the particular interpretation that his new video game, 007: First Light, has made of it. But it is interesting to see the perspective of the man who for years was thought to be the new Bond and who we now know was never meant to be.
Everything related to Star Wars is an immediate success, as long as you don’t touch the jedis. That is an extremely dangerous minefield that is better left untouched. No one wants a twist on what is already known, and even expanding what is already known is often met with skepticism by some fans who are quite aggressive about their franchise. Especially if it includes talking about jedis who were women or non-Caucasian. This is something that one of the most interesting Star Wars series experienced firsthand […]
Everything related to Star Wars is an immediate success, as long as you don’t touch the jedis. That is a tremendously dangerous minefield that is best left alone. No one wants to see a twist on what is already known, and even expanding what is already known is often met with skepticism by some fans who are quite aggressive about their franchise. Especially if it includes talking about jedis who were women or non-Caucasian.
This is something that one of the most interesting Star Wars series in recent years experienced firsthand. Star Wars: The Acolyte wanted to do something different, looking into one of the richest and most vibrant eras of the Star Wars universe, with an impressive cast, but fans hated it. Why? That is a good question, because it doesn’t seem to be that the series was bad at all.
Jedis when being a Jedi was not yet strange
Set at the end of the High Republic era, approximately 100 years before The Phantom Menace, the series takes place in a time of peace. There is relative stability in the galaxy and the Jedi are still at their peak, although all of that is about to change.
The series begins with Osha, a former padawan who abandoned her training as a Jedi due to an internal turmoil regarding her connection to the Force, who reunites with her Jedi master, named Sol, to investigate a series of terrible crimes. Something that will lead them to discover a terrible truth: the Sith order, which was thought to have disappeared from the galaxy, is still standing. And it has a deep connection with both of them.
From here on, the series is a remarkable blend of detective story, kung-fu, and a classic Star Wars movie. Resulting in a very fresh and different mix that makes it much more interesting than most works derived from the franchise.
Another reason why it is interesting is because of its casting. With particularly rich characters and vivid interactions, it particularly highlights Master Sol played by Lee Jung-jae, known in the West for his role as Seong Gi-hun in Squid Game. Thus demonstrating his versatility by excellently portraying not only a completely different role from the one we know him for, but also doing so in a language that is not his own.
A review bombing for woke
However, as we have said, the reception of the series was less than positive. There were legitimate criticisms, with many people who genuinely did not like it for various reasons. This happens even with the best series. But there was also a group of people who felt offended by certain aspects of the series that should not be problematic for anyone at all: that its main actors, who were also the most prominent jedi, were women and people of color.
The lead actress, Amandla Stenberg, is of African descent. The lead actor, Lee Jung-jae, is Korean. Adding to that the fact that they are jedis ignited the fuse for many fans who saw it as an attack, considering the series as woke, even calling it The Wokelyte, initiating a process of review bombing and harassment where they tried by all means to bury the series. This resulted in the perception and reception of the series, after its first few weeks, being absolutely terrible.
Something that contrasts with its original reception. During its first five days, it achieved 11.1 million views, becoming the most-watched series on Disney+ in 2024 so far. Critics also reached a favorable consensus about the series. And only after the start of the review bombing with accusations of being a woke series did the idea begin to spread that it was bad or a failure of some kind.
A series that deserves another chance
Cancelled in August 2024, it seems unlikely that we will see a new season of The Acolyte. Being yet another victim of the cultural wars initiated by far-right individuals, too sensitive for a multicultural and inclusive reality.
That doesn’t change the fact that it is still possible to see the first and only season of the series. A unique series within the Star Wars universe, both for its tone and the era it visits, which, while it may not be to everyone’s taste, certainly deserved a chance. Because whether people like it or not, The Acolyte had many virtues that make it worth revisiting.
Neil Druckmann, the director of Naughty Dog, has recently addressed the negative reaction surrounding their upcoming title, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. This game, which features a bald woman of color as the protagonist, has been criticized by a minority group online considered anti-woke. In response to the toxic comments, Naughty Dog decided to disable comments on the reveal trailer during last year’s Game Awards, after facing a barrage of hostile responses regarding the appearance of the main character, Jordan. Neil Druckmann, tired of the toxic comments In an interview with Last […]
Neil Druckmann, the director of Naughty Dog, has recently addressed the negative reaction surrounding their upcoming title, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. This game, which features a bald woman of color as the protagonist, has faced criticism from a minority group online considered anti-woke. In response to the toxic comments, Naughty Dog decided to disable comments on the reveal trailer during last year’s Game Awards, after facing a barrage of hostile responses regarding the appearance of the main character, Jordan.
Neil Druckmann, tired of toxic comments
In an interview with Last Stand Media, Druckmann urged to focus on artistic creation and to dismiss the noise of criticism. “It’s just something that happens nowadays with the media, that you mostly have to ignore, stand firm, and do what you believe,” he stated. This response suggests a commitment from Naughty Dog to authenticity in art, challenging expectations at a time when criticism has taken on a life of its own in the realm of video games.
Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet has been described as a game whose narrative focuses on faith and religion, in an attempt to distance itself from the controversy surrounding previous Naughty Dog projects. The game is stylistically inspired by Cowboy Bebop, which points to an action experience with a distinctive narrative focus. Although gameplay details have not yet been revealed, some commentators note that it is perceived as a secure proposal, despite the controversy surrounding it.
With the shadow of The Last of Us 2, which also generated polarized reactions, the question remains: will Intergalactic evade the same fate? In the current context, it is evident that the path of artistic innovation in video games can be tumultuous.
