Michael B Jordan Addresses Human Torch Casting Controversy

20th Century Fox’s upcoming ‘Fantastic Four’ reboot has been dogged with rumours, suspicions and often contempt from fans since before the film even went into production.

While much of this was down to concerns about the new direction to the much-loved Marvel comic characters said to be taken by director Josh Trank, the most contentious and frequently discussed issue has been the casting of Michael B Jordan - co-star of Trank’s previous film ‘Chronicle’ and, not for nothing, a black man - in the role of the traditionally white superhero Johnny Storm/The Human Torch.

Jordan has spoken on the matter many times, but now, on the eve of the film’s release, he has given what would seem to be his final, definitive word on the matter in an editorial for Entertainment Weekly.

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In opening, Jordan admits he’s well aware of the negativity surrounding his casting in the role, of which he says, “It used to bother me, but it doesn’t anymore. I can see everybody’s perspective, and I know I can’t ask the audience to forget 50 years of comic books.

“But the world is a little more diverse in 2015 than when the Fantastic Four comic first came out in 1961. Plus, if Stan Lee writes an email to my director saying, “You’re good. I’m okay with this,” who am I to go against that?“

Jordan argues the key theme of the Fantastic Four - a family unit as superheroes - remains intact.

“This is a family movie about four friends—two of whom are myself and Kate Mara as my adopted sister—who are brought together by a series of unfortunate events to create unity and a team. That’s the message of the movie, if people can just allow themselves to see it.

“Sometimes you have to be the person who stands up and says, “I’ll be the one to shoulder all this hate. I’ll take the brunt for the next couple of generations.” I put that responsibility on myself.

“People are always going to see each other in terms of race, but maybe in the future we won’t talk about it as much. Maybe, if I set an example, Hollywood will start considering more people of color in other prominent roles, and maybe we can reach the people who are stuck in the mindset that “it has to be true to the comic book.” Or maybe we have to reach past them.”

In conclusion, Jordan addresses his most vocal critics directly:

“To the trolls on the Internet, I want to say: Get your head out of the computer. Go outside and walk around. Look at the people walking next to you. Look at your friends’ friends and who they’re interacting with. And just understand this is the world we live in. It’s okay to like it.”

Jordan takes over in the role of Johnny Storm from Chris Evans, who played the role in Fox’s two earlier ‘Fantastic Four’ movies before going on to play Captain America. We might also note that the earlier films cast Jessica Alba - a Latin American actress - as Johnny’s sister Sue.

The new ‘Fantastic Four’ hits screens on 6 August 2015.

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Picture Credit: 20th Century Fox