10 Times Hollywood Pissed Off Fanboys (And Then Proved Them Wrong)

Whether actors should be cast without regard for the race of the original character has become something of a hot-topic in Hollywood, and their recent obsession with remakes and adaptations means it is an issue that won't go away any time soon. Fortunately, studios don't seem to give two rats about people who complain about such things.

Marvel is no stranger to race controversies. The latest accusation is that they are 'whitewashing' the MCU by turning Tilda Swinton's character in the upcoming Doctor Strange into a Celtic rather than a Tibetan monk to avoid upsetting audiences in China. As the studio were quick to point out, however, they have a strong record of diversity in their casting.

An example of their commitment to a multi-racial Marvel is their choice to cast Samuel Jackson as Nick Fury, a character who most remember from the comics as a white man. Many so-called fans of the comics were up in arms at the idea of Sam Jack playing their beloved S.H.I.E.L.D director, though many were quick to point out that the Ultimate Marvel version of Fury was black.

In fact, not only was he black, but the new Fury was actually based on Samuel Jackson. The similarity is even noted within the comic itself when the Ultimates (a re-imagining of The Avengers) discuss who they think should play each of them in a hypothetical movie about the team and Fury answers: "Mr. Samuel L. Jackson, of course, no discussion."

Those opposed to Jackson's casting at first, whatever their reasons, would have a hard time peddling that same argument today, with Sam Jack taking Marvel's invitation and making the character his own.