Huh?

Oh boy, I can hear the fanboy complaints already. But you know what, this is one I have to question as well. The Gods of Asgard are part of Norse mythology. Even if there are black Norwegians out there somewhere (which I doubt, but I suppose anything’s possible), they’ve gotta be the tiniest of minorities.

This isn’t like Michael Clarke Duncan playing the Kingpin in Daredevil (which this will undoubtedly get compared to). Nothing in the Kingpin’s history as a character suggests he absolutely has to be white for the movie version, and plus, there are few good actors who have the size necessary to play the Kingpin. Heimdall, on the other hand, is a character from the mythology of a very specific culture, one known for its pale-skinned, fair-haired natives!

I’m really surprised at director Kenneth Brannagh for choosing political correctness over historical accuracy. I thought he was smarter than that. I’m sure we’ll get some BS in-story explanation about how “Heimdall” is from some obscure Moor-like tribe of Asgardians that live off in the mountains or something. And I’m sure Idris Elba’s a decent actor and will pull the role off competently, but this is nothing but a flimsy excuse to fill a quota.

(Left: “Heimdal,” by Danish artist Johan Lundbye, via Wikipedia.)