Just as most comic book fans were entering the "acceptance" stage of grief over Jesse Eisenberg being cast as Lex Luthor, it was revealed yesterday that Michael B. Jordan would be playing Johnny Storm in the new Fantastic Four movie. The Internet was immediately, and predictably, besieged by a sea of digital anger from fans across the blogosphere after the announcement. However, this casting controversy has nothing to do with Jordan’s acting skills. No, the hatred stems from the fact that Jordan, an African-American actor, will be playing the role of the Human Torch, a traditionally white character from the comics. It’s an argument we’ve seen before, and it’s one we’ll likely see again.
For background’s sake, I’ve been hooked on the comic book drug since I was four years old. I still remember picking up The Incredible Hulk #386 and Swamp Thing #106 at a dusty, dingy hole-in-the-wall shop in 1991, and I haven’t gone a month without buying comics since. So yeah, I know my comics. But I also know the skeletons the industry has in its closet, the most glaring one being its embarrassing relationship with minorities.
Representing the World We Know
Despite taking place in Manhattan, most of Marvel’s earliest comics completely whitewashed one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the world. While that was the norm in the ‘60s, this notion is woefully antiquated in 2014. Today, around 25% of the population of NYC are African-Americans. By casting Jordan as the Human Torch, they are giving the Four a modern twist that actually reflects the world we see outside our own windows every day. And, really, that was Marvel’s mission statement when it reorganized itself in 1961.
Kate Mara and Michael B. Jordan playing brother and sister is no longer taboo; it’s normal. The Storm family is now primed to be the first mixed-race family of heroes to ever hit the big screen, and that’s a big step for the traditionally all-white superhero genre. Plus, people are missing the most important point of all: Jordan is a rare acting talent (see: Fruitvale Station). It would be absolutely criminal if he was denied the chance to shine as the Human Torch just because of the color of his skin.
The Perfect Role
You want your Johnny Storm to be cocky just like in the comics? Jordan can do it. You want him to be young and brash? Jordan can pull that off, too. You want him to lay on the charm? Jordan can do all of that, while also adding a depth that most other actors can’t reach. For proof, just rerun his episodes of Friday Night Lights and The Wire. Sure, this Fantastic Four won’t resemble the classic Jack Kirby double-page spreads or John Byrne splash pages from years back, but that doesn’t mean that the spirit and tone won’t be there.
Frankly, rather than worrying about the color of Jordan’s skin, you should worry about the movie’s rushed production schedule or the fact that it seems like 20th Century Fox just threw this film together at the last minute so it doesn’t forfeit the rights back to Marvel. Now, who wants to have that conversation?
Written by Jason Serafino (@Serafinoj1)
[gifs via Giphy]
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