This movie might just be the kiss of death for Netflix.
The streaming platform dropped the trailer for its new horror film Death Note, and it’s already offending people at first glance.
That’s because the story is a beloved supernatural manga and anime series centering around a troubled Japanese teen, and the Netflix version features — you guessed it — a predominantly white cast!
In the trailer, we get a look at a bleach blonde Nat Wolff as genius *Seattle* teen Light Turner, who discovers an evil notebook that gives him the power of life and death.
Related: Ghost In The Shell Meme-Generator TOTALLY Backfires!
Things quickly get out of hand as the pages turn, with Light launching into a crusade against the criminals of the world, all while avoiding getting caught by genius detective L (LaKeith Stanfield).
Despite the trailer looking creepy af, the supernatural drama is already getting haunted by fans who are pissed the new version completely shits on the original canon.
Opponents took to Twitter to express their frustration over Hollywood’s “Americanized” adaptations of Japanese manga never starring a Japanese-American lead. We mean, is it too much to ask for equal representation in the portrayal of mass murderers?
Ch-ch-check out the trailer and see how the Twitics responded (below)!
Shall we begin? #DeathNote pic.twitter.com/fEd12Gm32c
— Netflix US (@netflix) March 22, 2017
Netflix: Here’s a live-action #DeathNote movie!
Me: Cool!
*sees trailer with all white cast*
*dies* pic.twitter.com/e0AwxsjWTx
— Shy (@ShyForce) March 22, 2017
Yes, #DeathNote could be set in Seattle. But would it be so hard to cast an Asian actor? Seriously. #whitewashing
— Ruthanne Reid (@RuthanneReid) March 22, 2017
I hate to link to this but #WHITEWASHING . I love #DeathNote as anime, but #RepresentationMatters https://t.co/B87MKW5ez5
— Corinne V (@xcori) March 22, 2017
Netflix: Death Note (2017) pic.twitter.com/arnNh7nhxk
— tan (@deztieI) March 22, 2017
~Death Note. “It’s an AMERICAN version” YEAH as if Japanese American people don’t exist. Because being American means they HAVE to be white.
— ⚔️LIS⚔️ (@aqilahnaqlis) March 22, 2017
without the Japanese setting Death Note is just another story about a white boy serial killer
— tankiebunny cutie (@thoneycombs) March 22, 2017
when you find out they’re making a death note netflix original vs. when you find out it’s an entirely white cast pic.twitter.com/1uPtbrKmg1
— morgan (@hyungbam) March 22, 2017
I hate to link to this but #WHITEWASHING . I love #DeathNote as anime, but #RepresentationMatters https://t.co/B87MKW5ez5
— Corinne V (@xcori) March 22, 2017
Hollywood really LOVES whitewashing Japanese creations. First, #GhostInTheShell. Now, #DeathNote❗
No thanks! I’ll pass.├░┼╕ΓÇÿΓÇ╣├░┼╕┬Å┬╜ https://t.co/uMGJyf72PF
— 🌸Ab🌸 (@sxpphire) March 22, 2017
Me watching @netflix‘s new trailer for #DeathNote. ├░┼╕ΓÇÿΓé¼ Unlike #IronFist, this is whiteWASHING and not the white savior trope. #languagematters pic.twitter.com/TpBvLHm8lm
— Gina Chen (@trundlings) March 22, 2017
after seeing the death note trailer pic.twitter.com/wxguv8JUrW
— Reb ✨ (@serinide) March 22, 2017
Not every Twitic was prepared to throw the whitewashing card.
Some users defended the “Americanized” cast, noting there had already been multiple versions starring Japanese actors:
Netflix #DeathNote waiting for the white washing outrage.. even those there’s 2 Death Note movies already. But those don’t count right?
— Skyform (@Skyform) March 22, 2017
For people whining about white people in #deathnote…why didn’t you support the one with japanese actors? Do you just hate asians? RACISTS! pic.twitter.com/vLLFNQAw9x
— Aark (@Aarkithrax) March 22, 2017
A white teen with the ability to commit mass murder while being pursued by a black detective feels so damn poignant doesn’t it? #DeathNote
— Chris C. (@ASoulfulChris) March 22, 2017
What do YOU think of Netflix’s Death Note?
[Image via Madman Entertainment/Netflix.]
-
Categories
