![]() In recent issues, Hal Jordan came to defend Thomas when another pilot called him a “pie face,” which caused a lot of comic book fans to scratch their heads because in previous issues, Hal had no issue whatsoever using the term. Anyone with Asian features was a “pieface.” It is also to be noted that “Pieface” has a secondary connotation, which is “ Eskimo Pie,” an old treat whose name is just as controversial due to the word “Eskimo” being an incorrect term to describe Inuit people. It’s true that Tom is not technically Asian but Inuit, but in the 1960’s, comic books didn’t make those kinds of distinctions. The real reason for his “Pieface” nickname is that the term was (and still is) a racial slur for Asian people, especially Inuits, referring to their relatively flat and round facial features, like the bottom of a pie. Interestingly enough, in the comic book lore, there was a time when his character was referred as “Pieface ” the current explanation for that nickname is because he likes to eat pies. In the Green Lantern film, Taika’s character of Thomas Kalmaku was a computer geek but he came off more as a genuine person than a caricature or stereotype. Recently, he wrote and directed Boy, New Zealand’s highest grossing local film of all time. ![]() One of the coolest things about Taika is that not only is he an actor, he is also a writer and director. Even though the director is from New Zealand, the casting find was done purely through the casting director Pam Dixon which, in my personal opinion, is pretty awesome considering that Taika is well known in New Zealand and internationally but virtually unknown in the United States. More details, after the jump.ĭuring the press junket conference, I asked the director Martin Campbell how he came across the Maori actor Taika Waititi to play Thomas Kalmaku, who plays Hal Jordan’s best friend and one of the few who knows Hal’s Green Lantern identity. What is Green Lantern’s significance to an Asian American blog, besides our Green Lantern prize giveaway? The film features Waititi’s character Thomas Kalmaku and his former history of being called “Pie Face,” a racial slur used against Inuits and Asians. Both of these actors did a grand job with the roles given to them. Within this film are two Pacific Islander actors who play significant roles in this blockbuster film: Taika Waititi and Temuera Morrison, an actor who has never appeared in any American films and the other actor you may recall playing Jango Fett in Star Wars, Episode II. Thor: Ragnarok will arrive in theaters on November 3.On June 7th, I had the privilege of checking out a press screening of Warner Brothers’ Green Lantern which opens in theaters on June 17th. ![]() If the finished product is anywhere near the same league as the trailer, the film should be something of an instant classic. I think he’s learned on a lot of the films he’s done, you’ve got to discuss it and make sure you get it right the first time. Chris especially is very smart and very savvy when it comes to story. So we just want to take the time to make sure we get stuff right. There’s one way you can do it, is just bust on through and try and make your day, and you get stuff in the can, but it’s basically worthless when you come to edit. We stopped for an hour to just keep working a scene to make sure we got it right, and to make sure that it made sense. But story is still king in my mind, and we worked a lot on the script. Usually it comes down to story, and the fact that they… I don’t know. At least in my view and apparently Waititi’s too. One of the things wrong with crummy superhero films? Not enough Fraggle Rock based promotional content. “I started realizing, ‘Oh I think I know what’s going wrong with these films.’” “I think I probably learned more watching a lot of other superhero movies, and a lot of big studio films,” he said. But very different to the way I do things.”Īccording to Waititi, it wasn’t Green Lantern that served as his cautionary tale. And he’s a great – he runs a set very, very well and very efficient. “I spent a long time just sitting around on set, and so I’d watch a lot of how Martin would run things. ![]() “When I was in, I was just determined to try and do a good job with the job I was doing there,” he explained. Waititi is very polite in explaining how he’s a different brand of director than the helmer of the Ryan Reynolds fronted picture. Waititi is helming the upcoming Marvel buddy picture Thor: Ragnarok and speaking with ComicBook he addressed his time as an actor on the set of Green Lantern. ![]() After all, he has a bit of first-hand experience thanks to the 2011 DC wreck Green Lantern. Filmmaker and supernaturally handsome gentleman Taika Waititi has learned a lot about what not to do from subpar superhero movies. ![]()
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