Social impact & cultural significance of Hollywood casting Godfrey Gao as Magnus

While Edward Zo, one of the many actors who auditioned for Magnus Bane, didn't get the part in THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS: CITY OF BONES, he and the other Asian actors that auditioned have shown their support of Godfrey Gao's casting. With whitewashing happening everywhere in Hollywood nowadays, author Cassandra Clare stood firm on her belief that the actor the studio cast as Magnus should be Asian or part-Asian. Zo wanted me to share this video with you about "the social impact and cultural significance" of Godfrey's casting:

Zo also had this to say:

This video is about the social impact & cultural significance of Hollywood casting Godfrey Gao as Magnus Bane in the upcoming movie 'The Mortal Instruments'' (dubbed the next Twilight/Hunger Games)  I think most of the comments, pics, videos that have been made about Godfrey had to do with fan girl/fan boy reactions, but none have really touched on what really makes this casting news so ground breaking.

Though the role itself might not at first glance appear to be a game changer (the book version of Magnus Bane panders to the idea of the emasculated Asian male) a deeper look shows that the paradoxical inclusion of a non stereotypical 6’4 Asian male model in the casting line up makes it slightly revolutionary. This is a nice unexpected surprise for those of us who have been disappointed with the lack of visibility of non stereotypical Asian males in mainstream media.

I cannot recall there ever being a time in Hollywood history where an Asian guy, with the physical potential to be a leading man, is given a central role in a franchise movie targeted towards the trendy youth demographic….until now. This is why the producers and filmmakers behind The Mortal Instruments deserve such a huge round of applause.

I made this video to give a different angle & to highlight the positive impact that this movie might have on those of us who do not fit within the social norms of what is usually shown on tv & in movies.

I think one of the most potent antidotes towards ignorance, in all its varying forms, is the creation of thoughtful dialogue & I would be honored if you would share this video that I made with your wonderful readers.

Thank you to Edward for sharing this video and his thoughts and I couldn’t agree more. It wouldn’t have been right if Magnus had been cast anything other than Asian or part-Asian.