My current ire’s about the allegations against headliners in several of these movies. We need no introduction to the rampage of Ezra Miller, something made worse by them recently headlining The Flash. Ignoring the film’s quality, Miller’s numerous scandals, arrests and allegations are enough to make anyone question why they’re still in the industry. I get that Miller’s on a contract, but Miller being given publicity despite that is upsetting. Doubly-so given the film’s director, Andy Muschietti, stating he’d love to work with Miller again.
It's bad enough that a literal felon’s headlining a franchise, but Disney’s in no position to judge. It was recently revealed that Jonathan Majors, the actor who plays Kang, was arrested on domestic assault charges. Majors had choked his partner to near suffocation, and 911 had gotten involved. In addition, there were abuse claims made by people who worked with him on two separate film sets, and his casting agency has now dropped him. Oh dear…
Okay, Marvel has no leg to stand on. That alone would be concerning, but now Tenoch Huerta, who plays Namor in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, also has sexual assault allegations against him. It was revealed in a Spanish source that María Elena Ríos had Tweeted about his predatory behaviour, and that the organization Poder Prieto, which combats racism, had gone after her. This puts Huerta’s legacy and impact in serious doubt. Because what good would it be to keep him around?
It also brings up a bigger problem. When Majors’ and Huerta’s behaviour came to light, there were people who made this a game of “gotcha”. It was “justice” for criticizing Miller and DC, and it was proof that “Marvel was in trouble”. And I need to interject. This is bad news, but the response raises two, maybe three, concerns:
The first is that it’s not enough to screen an actor. For one, people can lie. I’ve seen that happen before. And two, someone can pass the sniff test, then become an open predator later. Remember that actors are human beings, as are screeners. Humans can’t catch everything, and predators are good at covering their tracks.
Second, this isn’t really about Huerta, Majors or Miller. This is about their victims. These three have caused real harm, and they’ve shielded themselves from accountability. They don’t deserve anything other than recasting, lest they perpetuate more harm. Period.
The first is that it’s not enough to screen an actor. For one, people can lie. I’ve seen that happen before. And two, someone can pass the sniff test, then become an open predator later. Remember that actors are human beings, as are screeners. Humans can’t catch everything, and predators are good at covering their tracks.
Second, this isn’t really about Huerta, Majors or Miller. This is about their victims. These three have caused real harm, and they’ve shielded themselves from accountability. They don’t deserve anything other than recasting, lest they perpetuate more harm. Period.
And third, don’t make this a game of tit-for-that. Miller sucks, but so does Majors. And so does Huerta. This isn’t about “retribution”. Rather, it’s about three actors being predatory and working under a system that shields people from consequences. If anything, they’re proof that Hollywood needs to be more ready to let people go for their misbehaviour. Also, their victims deserve justice.
I don’t like it when this nonsense happens. I enjoyed Miller in The Perks of Being a Wallflower. I thought Majors was perfect as Kang. And Huerta was really invested in Namor. They all have done excellent work before! But the past isn’t the present, and people with influence should be held to a higher standard. Because unlike what Charles Barkley once said, celebrities, like it or not, have direct impacts on the public at large. People look up to them, so they should role model good behaviour. That doesn’t mean perfection, but accountability goes a long way…
I’m also bummed out because people in Hollywood have been blackballed for calling out abusive behaviour before, and I’ve seen actors recast over less. Even regarding The MCU, simply look at what happened with Terrence Howard. I know these scandals put DC and Marvel in awkward positions, especially since Miller, Majors and Huerta have multi-movie contracts, but at some point it’s worth cutting losses. Remember, not only does keeping these individuals harm their victims, it does nothing to prevent them from doing more harm. And you’d be naïve to assume otherwise.
I don’t like it when this nonsense happens. I enjoyed Miller in The Perks of Being a Wallflower. I thought Majors was perfect as Kang. And Huerta was really invested in Namor. They all have done excellent work before! But the past isn’t the present, and people with influence should be held to a higher standard. Because unlike what Charles Barkley once said, celebrities, like it or not, have direct impacts on the public at large. People look up to them, so they should role model good behaviour. That doesn’t mean perfection, but accountability goes a long way…
I’m also bummed out because people in Hollywood have been blackballed for calling out abusive behaviour before, and I’ve seen actors recast over less. Even regarding The MCU, simply look at what happened with Terrence Howard. I know these scandals put DC and Marvel in awkward positions, especially since Miller, Majors and Huerta have multi-movie contracts, but at some point it’s worth cutting losses. Remember, not only does keeping these individuals harm their victims, it does nothing to prevent them from doing more harm. And you’d be naïve to assume otherwise.
As for what to do, the only one of the three I consider an easy fix for is Jonathan Majors. Kang has many iterations in Marvel comics, so it’d be easy to take an antagonist like The High Evolutionary and retcon him to be a Kang variant. It wouldn’t be farfetched either, given that Kang and The High Evolutionary are similar enough movie-wise. And if that’s questioned? Make up an explanation that fits MCU canon!
Finally, I have to mention that making this about “wokeness” is wrong. Yes, Miller, Majors and Huerta are minorities. Miller’s a non-binary Jew, Majors is black, and Huerta’s Latino. You’d have to be dense to not see that. But their behaviour’s less about “woke casting” and more about abusive influence. The latter has nothing to do with the former.
So yes, that’s all I have to say. Can we drop it now, please?
Finally, I have to mention that making this about “wokeness” is wrong. Yes, Miller, Majors and Huerta are minorities. Miller’s a non-binary Jew, Majors is black, and Huerta’s Latino. You’d have to be dense to not see that. But their behaviour’s less about “woke casting” and more about abusive influence. The latter has nothing to do with the former.
So yes, that’s all I have to say. Can we drop it now, please?
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