Why is there still a trend of white people portraying Asian people in movies?

The thing is Asians like many other groups of people had a rather rough history of being treated like bird droppings on a new car. Also you must take into account their warlike history where the victor always assimilates the loser well this is what we see now.

The young Asian women raised up to marry only white guys or the feminine portrayal of Asian men in media it is a result of the "we are conquered" mind set. Sadly there are is much blind eyed racism aimed toward Asians why won't they say anything? Its because they want to be accepted by white people.

Good question. I was actually discussing this with a friend of mine the other day. First of all, I am Asian and I've thought about this before. It appears that Asian men and women just aren't that marketable as leading men or women in American movies. Money has a lot to do with the decision making process of who gets cast. I mean in Hollywood, are you gonna get the best actor in China or Russell Crowe? Who's gonna draw a bigger audience? The answer is obvious.

Other than that, Asians make a very small percentage of the U.S. population, roughly 5% (as of 2008). So when there is a casting call for a movie, it's very hard to find Asian American actors who also fit the role...there's just too few of them. Having them imported from overseas is a lot of effort because prior to the 1990's, you're not gonna find too many international Asians that can speak fluent English with little or no accent. That means English lessons and a language coach. Most of the movies you listed were 20+ years ago.

I'm sure there are other reasons but I think don't think its a question of ethics, but rather business. Although it doesn't mean I don't sit there and scratch my head over their decisions.

Yes, if you watch Towelhead or Harold & Kumar, middle eastern people are never villains. I don't want to paint middle easterners as all terrorists, but I think we should have some recognition of what is going on - that many middle easterners do support the terrorists and that some don't. I like how Caucasians can be heros and the bad guy (Dark Knight) - a nondiscriminatory reflection of reality. The enemy in Kung Fu Panda which takes place in China, has a British accent lol.

Racism, simple as that. It's also done to Native Americans, they will usually just get someone white to play their role, or they will actually change the character and make them white, like they did with that movie 21, the real characters are Asian, and they got someone white to play the lead role. http://asiammedia.wordpress.com/2008/02/15/racist-...

It's not right. Maybe Asians are not more vocal about it because of different culture.

I can only speculate, as every one else- why most Asians stay hushed on the matter. But, Bruce-Lee for one, spoke on it- and began to cast real Asian people in his movies. I think it all comes down to leadership- the leaders have to step up and speak on it. It may not be something most of them are all that concerned about- but I know for a fact, it hinders other Asians trying hard to make it in the film industry.

It is for a white American audience. It goes for my people as well and has only just started to change. They used to use so many italians and greeks as native americans, that whites think they can simply wear braids and get a tan to look like us. The whole business gives you a funny feeling inside doesn't it?

That Kung Fu series fiasco with ugly David Carradine about drove Bruce Lee insane considering it was his baby.

I was very very disappointed with the way they changed Ged and his co-horts in the Earth-Sea Trilogy. In fact, when I saw what was happening I could not even watch it.

The answer is that they're aren't enough Asian actors in Hollywood, which is why you see the few portray each and every Asian nationality.

Also Hollywood probably feels a movie will flop with an Asian cast.

But there are some big Asian stars in Hollywood whose movies are successful such as: Jet Li, Jackie Chan and Michelle Yeoh.

Goku was a Saiyan. Not Japanese. I agree, though; he should've been played either by the cat who was Liu Kang in the Mortal Kombat movies, or the lead guy in Kung Fu Hustle.

WAY too many of your proofs are from too early in American history for them to really count. After the 60's, your argument has merit. Before then, it wasn't just Asians, it was ALL races, so it isn't really fair to single out the Asians.

Don't get me wrong here; I applaud the fact that you are drawing attention to a race other than your own; no one on Yahoo does that. But, consider as well that whitey in America shat on ALL races, and still does. So, it wasn't just the Asians getting picked on.

When me and my Asian friends heard Goku was going to be white we were kinda of in a state of "WTF"

Anyway I know exactly what your talking about, and I've noticed when ever a white guys portrays an Asian guy he is always nerdy and goofy looking, and very clumsy.

I dunno, man. Asians probably like the fact that the Great White is portraying them. I don't know about the rest but for Dragonball Z, the cartoon is based in Japan but some of these folks got blond hair. What Japanese person you know got natural blond hair?

But I think Asians gotta be like us sometimes and get vocal. It's kinda insulting.