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7/24/2025, 9:36:55 AM
>>149530715
>I'm fine with the practice for completely original characters
This is a take I wish I saw emphasized more often. The recasting of decades-old characters when the OG performer is still alive and well feels less like a sincere aim for authenticity and more like a shortsighted move made out of a fear of backlash. The character was already brought to life years ago by the everyone involved, from the voice actor to the casting & voice directors to the showrunners calling all the shots. Arif Zahir does a great Cleveland, but he's still ultimately mimicking Mike Henry's take on an African man. The same will apply to Ronnie Chieng; I'm still rooting for his Kahn voice to be entertaining, but it's hard to ignore the awkwardness of that recasting decision. Joseph's alleged recasting is even more awkward seeing as that role never aimed for any particular ethnic accent.
You can acknowledge Hollywood's history of failure in branching out to voice actors from different backgrounds and thus make conscious efforts to remedy that with NEW voice-over roles that instead won't be handed over to the same small net of veterans who've historically gotten first pick when casting calls go live.
>a miniseries or a one-off special
I feel those aren't necessary, either. Audiences need to learn to let go. An anniversary panel with the cast & crew or a new line of merch and apparel will do just fine. Let a complete series remain complete unless it was actually cut short and is deserving of a second chance at life.
>I'm fine with the practice for completely original characters
This is a take I wish I saw emphasized more often. The recasting of decades-old characters when the OG performer is still alive and well feels less like a sincere aim for authenticity and more like a shortsighted move made out of a fear of backlash. The character was already brought to life years ago by the everyone involved, from the voice actor to the casting & voice directors to the showrunners calling all the shots. Arif Zahir does a great Cleveland, but he's still ultimately mimicking Mike Henry's take on an African man. The same will apply to Ronnie Chieng; I'm still rooting for his Kahn voice to be entertaining, but it's hard to ignore the awkwardness of that recasting decision. Joseph's alleged recasting is even more awkward seeing as that role never aimed for any particular ethnic accent.
You can acknowledge Hollywood's history of failure in branching out to voice actors from different backgrounds and thus make conscious efforts to remedy that with NEW voice-over roles that instead won't be handed over to the same small net of veterans who've historically gotten first pick when casting calls go live.
>a miniseries or a one-off special
I feel those aren't necessary, either. Audiences need to learn to let go. An anniversary panel with the cast & crew or a new line of merch and apparel will do just fine. Let a complete series remain complete unless it was actually cut short and is deserving of a second chance at life.
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