Isn't he going to be in the new Avatar movies? Those are gonna make bank.
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Aladdin star Mena Massoud: 'I haven't had a single audition since film was released'
- Thread starter litebrite
- Start date
Yes of course but it's not like he had to audition for that role he landed in 2006. His career is still pretty much dead in Hollywood.
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I hate that it has to be an either-or conversation, too.
Like I can't have a negative opinion on someone representing my community because, to some, any representation is good representation. Then we end up with people like Nav and Mena (less so than Nav). Ain't no downplaying of systemic issues here, I'd just rather not the flag bearers or people who are supposed to open doors be tightening the locks instead.
And I'm sure those people clamoring for any form of representation can also understand what it's like to be told what your community should do to represent itself.
He posted the video to make the point about black actors (Ali's most defining visible characteristic, hello) dealing with these issues. He didn't confuse the actors.
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I know but the situations are different and once again the industry is far bigger today than it even was 10 years ago.
Speaking of Worthington, he was cast on Clash of the Titans and Terminator Salvation before Avatar was even out, solely on the "strength" of being the lead on an upcoming James Cameron blockbuster. He doesn't get many or any major roles anymore.
That's what I was thinking too. Even on super progressive forums like Era, there's this underlying (quietly racist) assumption that all POCs support (or should support) all other POCs. We're people, just like white people, and have a variety of opinions. Why's that so hard to understand.
There are probably dozens of incredibly talented poc actors who are facing the same problem as this guy, but who don't have the platform to air their troubles. I personally think the Aladdin movie was really bad for him, because it gave him the false notion that's he's competent at his craft. Otherwise, the rejections might have made him work a lot harder to be a better actor. Now he thinks he's already there, and instead of trying to improve his craft is lashing out at the racism in Hollywood. Not that Hollywood isn't plenty racist, but this interview is unlikely to better his chances.
The first part was about Ali and things he has said in the past. I used the Lance interview to support that this type of thing has been going on forever.
And either way the sarcasm in my reply was so obvious.
No shit I was talking about more than 1 instance and one actor.
Fuck.
im not forgetting, i just dont think he was good and that can also play a part in him not getting roles. like it was stated in the article, Rami Malek aint having trouble finding work. He was just in an Oscar winning film (whether or not it deserved those awards is another story) and is the next bond villain. is systemic racism playing a role in this actor not getting callbacks or offers or auditions? most assuredly, that's probably 75% of the pie right there, but it doesnt help that he isnt very engaging as an actor either, but I guess he also has a show on Hulu, so its not all so bad.
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Oh I got that, once again it just didn't seem right in the context of my post. Perhaps explaining a bit why your posting this clip might've helped.
He knows his is the third name with a prominent Egyptian background that has gained any kind of visibility in Hollywood since the 1960s. He'll have to work harder for the opportunities in an industry that won't rub two pennies to expand diverse representation.
A lot of assumptions here . Going back to Rami though, Rami isn't having trouble now. He's talked plenty about his hardships in the industry over the course of some 16 years that he's been in it. He's had his share of difficulties too and he had to play a lot of white people to get to where he is now. Look back on his history and see how many Adam, Josh Clark, Will , Kenny and Andy roles he's had to play.
A lot of assumptions here . Going back to Rami though, Rami isn't having trouble now. He's talked plenty about his hardships in the industry over the course of some 16 years that he's been in it. He's had his share of difficulties too and he had to play a lot of white people to get to where he is now. Look back on his history and see how many Adam, Josh Clark, Will , Kenny and Andy roles he's had to play.
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His height might be an issue but he's as tall as Zac Efron (5'8") so producers can overlook that.
He also chooses to do smaller films along with TV and stage performances. You don't see him in big stuff because it doesn't interest him.
Did you mean to post this over at the other place?
We should be better than this ignorant trash on Era, people.
Hollywood can be racist as shit, but I have no sympathy specifically for Massoud. It's been five months. Not to mention he's being disingenuous, as he immediately landed follow-up roles after Aladdin wrapped (but before the release).
Though, it's a shrewd PR campaign. It may actually payout for him.
Though, it's a shrewd PR campaign. It may actually payout for him.
Yup. Look at his work in stuff like Until Dawn and the Need For Speed film. He basically had to whitewash himself to play those roles.
So you understand Hollywood can be racist but have no sympathy for an actor who is being impacted by it because "it's been five months."
Cool.
Speaking of disingenuous statements, I was clear the reason I have no sympathy for Massoud is because he's being disingenuous regarding his post-Aladdin prospects to get some buzz going. He immediately landed post-Aladdin roles after the movie wrapped.
Dude was fantastic and charismatic in Aladdin. I hope he can get some more roles down the road.
You are wrong. He kept getting 'roles', I didn't argue big or small. He is going to be in Avatar 2 and Avatar 3, big. The point is, Sam has a steady steam of movies he will be staring. When the argument being made is that Mena is not able to get role because he was bad in Aladdin(I disagree on here) is being disingenuous.
The point remains, he still has a chance to get a role. He is able to 'audition'.
It's still a fact that he hasn't had any auditions in over half a year.
If you don't write a character with a note saying a specific race, they tend to just default to white. Even if you write "Asian" or "Black", once the production company gets there hands on it they will probably default to white, unless you use their race in the context of the story. It is easier for bigger budgeted movies to have diverse casts because those movies are more apt to be profitable, unfortunately many mid/low budget movies, unless the movie's story depends on a characters' race, will default to white.
He is the male lead in one of the biggest movies of all time.
If he were white, he would have gotten multiple auditions in that 5 month period. That's the problem. And you are tying to brush off a legitimate issue by moving the goalposts.
Fucking hell, man. Both these vids irritate and sadden me so much. Bobby Lee bringing up Aaron Paul is spot on. He had tons of deals after Breaking Bad. Meanwhile I've seen Steven Yeun in fuck all.
Insider insight: Hollywood is conditioned to imagine the midwest as its target demographic. This affects the way even prospective/spec writers select their subject matter. So the entrenched racism exerts its influence at the level of conception: at the DNA level of potential scripts, before you even get to character.
He's attempting to establish a narrative that he hasn't gotten any work since Aladdin because he is a person of color
EDITED. I was misinformed of his religion.
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He's talking about auditions. Actors should be going to those on a regular basis.
This is good insight and a good vid. Thank you for sharing. Lance is great.
I mean, I know what you're saying but just looking at that statement shows how truly fucked reality is.
He clearly got auditions and also landed roles during and after Aladdin wrapped. It makes no sense that would stop once it became a hit post release. My guess is the roles he could get auditions for aren't what he wants.
My mistake! I was entirely misinformed.
Are you calling him a liar?
6+ months is a long time to go without auditions.
Doesnt he have an agent whose job it should be to get him auditions? If they arent getting anything he should replace his agency