What ever happened to actors like Dante Bosco (Rufio) or Ernie Reyes, Jr (surf ninjas), granted these are both Filipino examples, but at least that was closer.
No idea who Ernie Reyes, Jr is, but Dante Basco made his opinion of it known when The Last Airbender came out.
Typecasting and stereotyping is, unfortunately, something that does happen in the United States. It's unfortunate, and it isn't fair to ethnic actors that are actually well versed in their jobs, and personify the roles that are written in these movies with all of the qualities the specific role calls for.
This is, personally, why I am anal-retentive about the actors who would take the roles in the Dresden movies. We obviously know now that Harry himself has a Scottish background; Murphy is Irish-Catholic, small, blonde, and exceptional in martial arts; The Gatekeeper is Arabic; The Merlin is almost the literal physical embodiment of what a traditional English wizard -- maybe even the real Merlin -- looks like; Susan is a Latina, Michael is fairly tall (but shorter than Harry), thickly, broadly built, and would have the fine, regal looks of the Franks combined with the Romans, given that he was descended from Charlemagne. (For those who don't know, this is one of the ideal portraits of the emperor in question:
His looks actually very closely resemble how I see Michael in my head, without the beard, of course)
If a Dresden movie is ever made, I want it made as true to form as the books give us. None of this, "Let's make everybody white" malarkey. It's insulting to other actors who may be perfect for the role. (this is also why I really like the idea of Shaun Toub as the Gatekeeper, as he actually is Arabic.)
ETA: I realize that this makes me sound like I myself am typecasting. I don't like the thought of myself doing that. I would rather, at the very least, that the actors cast at least match how the books say they look. Harry is tall, gawky, not entirely bad looking, somewhat gaunt, dark haired and dark eyed; Murphy is small, blonde, blue eyes, and the picture of a kid's favorite aunt, or a cheerleader; Susan is dark eyed, dark haired, tanned skinned and lithe; Thomas is a walking Bod advertisement with pale skin and long, dark curling hair. As long as they make the effort to match the characters' looks, I'm good.
Poll