With on-screen black couples on the verge of extinction, many studios and producers are casting African Americans in interracial romances.
Screendaily is reporting that Thandie Newton, Jason Isaacs and David Tennant are set to star in Magnet Films' psychological thriller 'Retreat.'
The film, to be directed by newcomer Carl Tibbetts, follows a couple (Newton and Isaacs) seeking to rebuild their relationship by heading to a remote island. Their peace is shattered, however, when they find a man (Tennant) on their doorstep infected from a lethal virus that is killing millions on the mainland.
"It reminded me of 'Dead Calm' when I first read it -- only better," said Magnet Films producer Gary Sinyor. "It's got a similar sexual tension, but the battle of wits between the characters and plot twists are constantly surprising. We're delighted to have secured three of the UK's most powerful actors."
Coming out in May is 'Mother and Child,' which stars Samuel L. Jackson alongside Naomi Watts.
Directed by Rodrigo Garcia, the film also stars Brittany Robertson, David Morse, Kerry Washington, Annette Bening, Carla Gallo, Amy Brenneman, Tatyana Ali, Marc Blucas, Jimmy Smits, Cherry Jones, S. Epatha Merkerson, Lisa Gay Hamilton, Elpidia Carrillo, Eileen Ryan, David Ramsey, Ahmed Best, LaTanya Richardson and Shareeka Epps.
The film follows the tales of a mother and daughter separated at birth who struggle with the damage done by the most important person missing in their lives and a young African Americn woman dealing with an unwanted pregnancy.
Meanwhile, Taraji P. Henson plays Brian Pressley's love interest in her latest independent film, 'Once Fallen.' Liam (Ed Harris) and his son Chance (Presley) battle over issues of loyalty and family after they leave behind their gritty lives. Grappling with clashing ideologies, the two men struggle to assert themselves while still trying to keep their family alive.
Produced by Bravodo Pictures, the film also stars Amy Harris, Peter Weller, Ash Adams, Jesse D. Goins and Chad Lindberg.
Earlier this year, Sanaa Lathan played a Senegalese woman romantically involved with Matthew Broderick's character in 'Wonderful World.'
Comments: (13)
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By: OOOZZZZZ on 2/22/2010 8:23PM
This is not a new revelation.
African American actors have always been selected to do movie roles written specifically for White actors after they turned down the role(s) and that includes major Black stars such as Denzel Washingon who in his own films have had interracial relationships with White or non-White women (Malcolm X, He Got Game, Mississippi Masala) being a sub-plot of those movies and the latest version of Star Trek (Zoe Saldana: played both Lt. Uhura (romantic interest, White actor) & the lead in the latest major motion picture Avatar (animated Black female lead with romantic interest White actor)
And since the climate of interracial relationships in America is steadily reaching a rapid peak of acceptence & tolerence in America (and the fact that for Black actors, hollywood roles are very limited and money is money, gotta pay the mortgage) then this maybe the new genre of movies.
Black actors are just doing what they have to do.
Turn down these Black/White interracial roles and limitations/$$$$/movie role selections will occur no matter how big and famous that Black movie star is.
So for the author of this article, no one is gettibg pissed over this. The bigger major issue in Hollywood is about who has the ability to control, decide, fund, "green light" and reward all these movies.
That vital part of the Hollwood machine has absoluty no interracial relationships.
It's all White owned and White controlled.
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By: Amber on 2/23/2010 8:38AM
Couldn't agree more. It is more upsetting that a black onscreen couple won't sell. But hey, this is WHITE AMERICA. Support small, indie films depicting black love people!
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By: EbonyLeaf on 2/23/2010 3:18PM
True! I love seeing movies depicting Black love since there is so much negativity out there concerning black male/black female relationships. Furthermore, it's important for us to be surrounded with loving, sensual, and friendly images of the black man and woman in order to erase the hostilities and correct the misconceptions! This means a lot to me now than ever, because I am currently in a new, blossoming relationship with a handsome, intelligent, sensual young black man =D
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By: E on 2/23/2010 3:35PM
Thandie Newton's father is white I believe. So that's not necissarily/technically interacial completly. The rest is what it is..
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By: Justin on 2/24/2010 4:51PM
And what is black love?
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By: Mimi on 2/26/2010 9:20AM
IF YOU WERE BLACK YOU WOULD KNOW.
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By: Charles on 2/26/2010 6:33PM
I was thinking the same but hey this the BV board there is black love white love yellow love etc etc. I was also thinking Thandie is always getting these types of roles nothing unusual about that.
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By: Uriah Jordan on 2/26/2010 12:17PM
In Hollywood when a black woman plays the love interest of a black man she is combative, caustic and emasculating but throw that same character up to a white lead actor and suddenly there is a personality change. The writers, directors and producers no longer want her to talk with her hands on her hips and her head swaying from side to side with every syllable uttered.
I don't know if many of you have noticed but there are only two types of personalities depicted on the big and small screen for sisters; sassy inner-city token and submissive chocolate delite.
And since we're on the topic I did not care for the Frog Princess because it distorts history not because of the interracial aspects. (In the past white men were always free to sample black women if they so choose.) Where were the 'whites only' and 'coloreds' signs? Where was the Klan? Could we make a movie about German in the 1930's and omitt Hitler and the Nazi party?
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By: Victoria on 2/26/2010 9:31PM
Not sure what movies or tv shows you have been watching but perhaps you had better take a 2nd look. There are many black female actresses that do not act with the hands on the hips and ghetto talk!!!
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By: d on 2/26/2010 3:02PM
As usual a DBM hooked up with a white woman. Why is it that there is rarely a white man - with a black woman?
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