Audiences tired of diversity reboots
Consumers React to Kenya Barris’ “Diverse” Reboots with a Sigh
Once again, Hollywood is pushing for diversity in its reboots, and audiences are growing weary. Filmmaker and “Blackish” producer Kenya Barris recently announced plans to revamp ”The Wizard of Oz” and “It’s a Wonderful Life” with a focus on inclusivity, and the response has been less than enthusiastic.
While progress has been made in on-screen diversity, the current trend of commandeering every available property for the sake of diversity and inclusion feels excessive. It’s not uncommon to see white characters replaced by black actors, a decision that often yields positive results. For example, Samuel L. Jackson’s portrayal of Nick Fury in the Marvel Cinematic Universe was well-received, despite the character originally being depicted as white in the comics.
Halle Bailey’s casting as Ariel in “The Little Mermaid” also faced some backlash, but she proved her talent and brought the classic songs to life. However, the constant revisiting of classics solely for the purpose of an ”Identity Politics upgrade” feels like a disservice to the art itself. The story should always come first, rather than the color of the actors or any agenda at play. Barris promises wholesome renovations with black performers in mind, but it’s important to prioritize the integrity of the original story.
It seems that Hollywood won’t stop rebooting beloved properties unless audiences reject these projects en masse. However, the track record for race-based reboots has been mixed at best. Let’s consider a few examples:
“Annie” (2014)
Young Quvenzhané Wallis brought the classic comic strip character to life, accompanied by a race-swapped Daddy Warbucks played by Jamie Foxx. The reboot received harsh criticism, with a 29% “rotten” score on Rotten Tomatoes. Despite earning $85 million at the box office, the film’s reported $65 million budget made it less appealing.
The updated “Annie” even received two Razzie nominations for Worst Remake and Worst Supporting Actress (Cameron Diaz).
“The Honeymooners” (2005)
Jackie Gleason’s beloved sitcom was brought to the big screen with a race-swapped cast. Cedrick the Entertainer and Mike Epps portrayed Ralph Kramden and Ed Norton, while Gabrielle Union and Regina Hall played their wives. Unfortunately, the film flopped at the box office, earning only $12 million, and received negative reviews with a 13% “rotten” rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
“What Men Want” (2019)
In this gender and race-swapped reboot of the 2000 comedy “What Women Want,” Taraji P. Henson took on the lead role originally played by Mel Gibson. Despite higher ticket prices, the film only earned $54 million and received unfavorable reviews. The New York Post criticized the movie, stating that it lacked intelligence and resorted to mindless humor.
Interestingly, an Asian remake of the original film received a perfect 0% “rotten” score from critics.
“About Last Night” (2014)
The 2014 remake of the 1986 film featured a talented cast led by Kevin Hart, Regina Hall, and Michael Ealey. While it made a modest $46 million at the box office and received more favorable reviews, it failed to capture the same cultural impact as the original.
“The Wonder Years” (2021-2023)
The race-swapped remake of the beloved dramedy set in the ’60s focused more on the civil rights movement. However, the series only lasted two seasons on ABC and ranked as the lowest-rated and least-watched show on the network. Despite positive reviews from critics, the reboot failed to attract a significant audience.
“Uncle Buck” (2016)
John Candy’s iconic comedy received not one, but two TV reboots. The second version, featuring Mike Epps, received weak feedback from both critics and audiences.
“Death at a Funeral” (2010)
This dark comedy was swiftly rebooted with a mostly black cast. While the film out-earned the original in the U.S., it failed to impress film critics with a 43% “rotten” rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Given these examples, it’s no wonder that consumers are cautious about Barris’ race-swapped reboots. Audiences have seen this before and have been left unimpressed. It’s important for Hollywood to strike a balance between diversity and preserving the integrity of the original stories.
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Christian Toto is an award-winning journalist, movie critic, and editor of HollywoodInToto.com. He previously served as associate editor with Breitbart News’ Big Hollywood. Follow him at @HollywoodInToto.
The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.
What factors contribute to the success or failure of reboots that aim to prioritize diversity and representation
Same magic as the original. Critics noted that the remake lacked the emotional depth and complexity of the original film.
These examples highlight the challenges that race-based reboots face. While the intention may be to bring more diversity and representation to the screen, the results often fall short. Instead of creating new and compelling stories that showcase diverse characters, Hollywood seems to be relying on nostalgia and established properties to generate interest in these reboots.
Another concern is that these reboots may be perceived as pandering rather than genuine attempts at inclusivity. Audience members are savvy and can recognize when a film is simply trying to tick a box rather than telling a compelling story. This can ultimately backfire, as audiences may be less inclined to support these projects if they feel they are being manipulated or underestimated.
That’s not to say that diversity in film is not important. Representation matters, and seeing oneself reflected on-screen can be powerful and empowering. However, it is crucial that these efforts are executed with care and thoughtfulness. Blindly replacing characters with actors of different races without considering the impact on the story and the storytelling itself can undermine the integrity of the original work and fail to achieve the desired result.
Ultimately, the success or failure of these reboots will be determined by audience response. If consumers continue to express their weariness and disappointment with reboots that prioritize diversity over substance, Hollywood may be forced to re-evaluate its approach. The aim should be to create original content that authentically represents the diversity of our society and tells engaging and compelling stories that resonate with audiences of all backgrounds.
In the meantime, filmmakers like Kenya Barris have a responsibility to balance the desire for diversity with the respect for the original material. Honoring the integrity of the story and characters while making room for underrepresented voices is the key to creating successful and meaningful reboots. Only then can Hollywood truly move towards a more inclusive and diverse future.
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