By: Nguyen
I’ve watched the new Netflix tv show, Iron Fist (2017) and I read the comments associated with the show. First off, I think Netflix’s Iron Fist (2017) was “decent/okay” compared to its previous predecessors (e.g., Daredevil, Jessica Jones, and Luke Cage). I wouldn’t give it a 14%-18% like RottenTomatoes have indicated, but rather a 65-70%. I would rank the Marvel Netflix TV Series:
- Daredevil Season 1
- Jessica Jones Season 1
- Daredevil Season 2 (The first half was great with Punisher)
- Luke Cage Season 1 (The first half was great with Cottonmouth)
- Iron Fist Season 1
(Note: Wing would rank Jessica Jones #1)
Back to Netflix’s Iron Fist, I don’t think this tv show main problem was the casting problem (per say). The main problems were all the flaws that were in previous Netflix’s shows were all in Netflix’s Iron Fist.
The bad:
1) The story pace was all over the place (in my opinion all the Netflix Marvel show 
2) the music was random (what does hip-hop have to do with kungfu??)
3) Very cartoony villain (e.g., Harold Meachum)
4) Danny Rand’s personality and goals are childish and random. I’m not sure if I should blame the writers or Finn Jones. There were scenes of him saying he was taught to control his emotions and yet he get angry a minute later.
5) No costume for Danny Rand 😦 (The costume of the old Iron Fist in the 1940s on Bakudo’s TV was cool!)
https://youtu.be/XZzKc39ttFY?t=38s
6) No in-depth look at K’un-Lun
7) The MAJOR problem was the horrible action sequences. This was supposed to be a KUNGFU tv show! All the action scenes were quick cuts and close-up shots, which I believe were purposely done do hide the actors and actresses poor fighting abilities.
For instance, Danny Rand X-ray scene, where the scene was cut too many times:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pc4B5yB38x0&feature=youtu.be&t=1m29s
Also, the first 6 episodes were decent (but slow) until the “challenge/Mortal Kombat” style tournament appeared … It was cringy and poorly executed. I thought Danny Rand was a “kungfu” master, but there are a lot of pauses in the fights.
The Good:
1) Ward Meachum played by Tom Pelphrey, probably have the biggest character development compared to all the other character. From an sly businessman to a murder to a decent business guy embracing Danny.
2) More depth and exploration of The Hand (e.g., there are two faction of the Hand)
3) Claire Temple was great! The funny moment as well as indirectly pointing out the flaw of the TV show, which was Iron-fist is not really a “hero” by saying “he has serious issues” in terms of violent outburst and killing his enemies.
4) Colleen Wing was a great character with some character development (e.g., dealing with her sensei and her students) and a few good action scenes.
Now onto the so-called “Controversy”
In my opinion, as an Asian-Canadian individual (I don’t speak on behalf of all Asian, only myself), the whole “Ghost in the shell”, “Netflix’s Iron Fist”, and “Netflix’s Deathnote” is not all about Caucasian actor(s) playing a character that was meant for “other” race, but rather just disappointed at Hollywood that Asian-American actors or actresses do not get the same opportunity to succeed in the film/tv industry as their Caucasian colleagues.
Is Netflix’s Iron Fist whitewashing? In my own perspective, NO because of the source material, however, it is entrenched in silly (and perhaps offensive) tropes.
Created by Joshua Luna – twitter.com/joshua_luna
Sadly, the co-creator of Iron fist add fuel to the fire by saying:
I’m still contemplating whether or not an Asian-American should play Iron Fist. First off, the source material was a rich blond hair Caucasian guy being the Iron Fist, however, it is the same trope that was played out before in different movies (e.g., the last samurai, Avatar, Pocahontas, etc). Also, the comic book was created during the 70’s when Bruce Lee was famous and Asian culture was considered “mystical” or “cool”.
My question to you (the readers) is why can a minority such as an Asian-American play Iron fist?
If you say that Danny Rand needs to be an “outsider” in K’un-Lun. I will say why can an Asian-American be an outsider in K’un-Lun? An Asian-American Ironfist he can be an outsider in K’un-Lun since he is American as well as an outsider in America since he is Asian. With the Donald Trump situation in the US, I think many minorities (especially, Muslim-Americans) who were born and raise in North America feel like they are an outsider. Therefore, Danny Rand could have been a more complex character and more relatable. This picture is a prime example of what I mean:
Created by Joshua Luna
On the other hand, casting an Asian-American could be a double-edged sword because Iron Fist is a martial art superhero which is somewhat of a stereotype for Asians since there is a running joke that Asian people know Kung-fu. However, I think the lack of Asian-American representation in the media is a bigger problem than the kung-fu stereotype. Also, with a good director and creative writers, they can prevent these stereotypical kung-fu masters trope.
Onto Netflix’s Death note!
Is Netflix’s Deathnote and Ghost in the shell whitewashing? In my perspective, Yes and No. Yes, because of the excuses/reasons by the director/cast director for not giving an opportunity for minorities to play the main characters. No, because ANYBODY can play the character of Light because that character does not entrench with a specific culture or ethnicities unlike Marvel’s Black Panther and Luke Cage.
Can a Caucasian actor play Light? Sure. Can an Asian/black actor play Light? Sure. I’m 
There are many people that say “Hey, there is a Black actor playing as L, it’s not whitewashing!”; however, the main character is a caucasian (like MOST movie/tv show in the US). I’m fine with a Caucasian actor playing Light, but I’m just disappointed not a 
Also to note, there are movies (e.g., Ghost in the Shell) that have diversity in their casting but focus mainly on the protagonist and antagonist. The diverse cast only has a few lines and sometimes no line of dialogue at all. (Example of videos that show less than a minute of dialogue for people of color in a typical Hollywood film: Link)
There are people that say “If you want to watch Asian actors as leading characters then go watch Korean dramas or Chinese cinemas!”.
Well, (1) China and Korea have never said they were a “melting pot” (a metaphor for a society where many different types of people from different culture, race and so forth blend together as one) and (2) U.S.A is a multicultural nation that was founded by immigrants. (3) Asian-Americans are not just “Asian” but also “American” as well.
From all the thing I have said so far, Netflix’s Deathnote could be great!
I have a question to you:
Can you name a movie that has an “Asian-American” actor playing the leading role in any movie? Hard right?
How about a movie that has an “Asian” (doesn’t have to be American) actor playing the leading role other than Martial arts movie?
All I am saying is hopefully the excuse such as it is an “American Adaptation“, doesn’t mean “Only White Americans” can be the leading protagonist and the rest can play minor roles (most of the time non-speaking roles). There are Vietnamese-American, Chinese-American, Indian-American, Muslim-American, Native-American, African-American actors/actresses that should get an opportunity to audition for the part of the leading protagonist.
There are many excuses/reasons behind having Caucasian actors playing the leading roles, instead of other ethnic actors:
1) “How can White audiences relate to the main character that is a different race?” (absurd right? as well as condescending). Moonlight won the best picture!
2) “Only White people watch movies in the theater” For instance: Dame Janet Suzman (a British actress) said “white people go to the theatre, it’s in their DNA” and that theater is “a white invention, a European invention and white people go to it.”
3) White actors = Profit. Ridley Scott director of Exodus: Gods and Kings once said: “I can’t mount a film of this budget, where I have to rely on tax rebate in Spain, and say that my lead actor is Mohammad so-and-so from such-and-such“. I can name movies that have Caucasian leads (who are up-incoming/unknown actors or famous brand-name actors) that still bombs in the box office: Alexander, Aloha, Ben-Hur, Gods of Egypt, John Carter, Speed Racer, Jupiter Ascending, Pan, and so forth.
I’m not saying inserting an Asian-American or other minority as a leading man/woman can help those films I’ve mentioned. I am saying that studios took many risks on Caucasian actor(s) that are unknown as well as well-known…why not take risks on actors/actresses from a different ethnic and cultural background?
Overall my main point is every single actor/actress whether you are
white/black/Asian/Middle eastern/native should get the same “OPPORTUNITY” to be a protagonist. Thankfully there are some shows that took risk, for instance, “Master of None” and “Fresh off 
Please comment and tell me what you think about this subject matter. Who knows I might be wrong!