The Hunger Games Movie – the Question of Rue
In the who should play who game of casting The Hunger Games movie, it’s been pointed out time and again by fans of the book, that the youngest tribute in the Hunger Games is most likely black. Finally, those in the industry are starting to ask the question about how important is it (or not) that Rue (and probably Thresh) be played by an African American?
Entertainment Weekly asks if, in the world of Panem, race matters? Personally I don’t think race ever matters, but I hope the movie sticks as close as possible to the Hunger Games book. Rue is clearly described as having “satiny brown skin” and therefore so should the person who gets the role. EW puts forward Willow Smith as a possible choice for the part. We’d love to hear what you think.
I think that they shouldn’t confuse “race doesn’t matter” with “everyone is white.” If race doesn’t matter, why not cast everyone as people of color? It would be truer to skin tones hundreds of years in the future anyway.
I actually think that kid would be a fantastic Rue, regardless of race (though I agree, if the description is there, it should be used – much like Katniss’ olive skin and gray eyes, or Peeta’s blond hair and blue eyes) – it’s something in the eyes, face shape and expression.
I don’t think it’s super important. While reading books, I never see the characters as black or white or whatever. It doesn’t matter to me. I never thought of Rue as African American, but if the texts suggests that she is, then the actress portraying her should be as well. I think it just depends on what Suzanne intended. But really, I don’t care. But Willow? Eh, I’m kinda sick of seeing the Smith kids all the time. I think they could probably branch out rather that picking the most obvious thought.
I definitely think it’s important that the people they cast be as close as possible to the descriptions in the book. I would not approve if they cast a light skinned Rue.
I like Willow Smith for the role.
Agree with you alt323 – I think “race doesn’t matter” does get confued with everyone is white …and that’s how I feel Court – it would be weird if they cast a Peeta that didn’t have light colored hair (and I can’t imagine they will) – so why not try and be true to the other characters and the way they’re described?
I think Willow would be good and in Panem race doesn’t matter, but here it does. I think that if they didn’t diversify the movie that there could be some problems.
I thought Rue might be Indian (from India) or of native Mexican descent because District 11 is in the southeast or the southwest. Given the geographic location, a little girl of African descent would work, too. I think any ethnicity would work as long as they stay close to the scant description as possible.
@Liz – good point
@Liz
but district 11 is in the southeast or southwest of NORTH AMERICA. :/
or at least what used to be north america.
i’d say african american.
I think it should really stick to the book, and that girl is sooooo cute! I would love to see her as Rue. I just thinkif they made Rue white it wouldn’t be the same, just like Katniss needs to be white.
If anyone has read Eragon and seen the movie, you will understand why making the actor as similar to the book character is one of many pivitol elements in making a book into a movie.
@Liz – great post! It doesn’t clearly state that Rue is black, although it is clear that she is a person of color. The girl could be Indian, or Mexican, or Filipino from what we know. Not that they know or care in the book. But it matters with which actress is chosen (obviously) .
@Michelle And since this IS North America, which includes Mexico, she could be a number of different races. North America isn’t just the two main skintones. I lived in the Southwest region, where Rue is most likely from, and there are a lot of people from Mexican descent.
But Willow… I think Rue should be played by someone less popular, I think all of the characters should, except maybe Finnick and Haymitch. I also believe that Rue could be any color as long as she wasn’t clearly of a white race.
She is a PERFECT Rue! I wouldn’t have it any other way!
i think that race does matter and that when reading the books not once did rue come into my mind as african american. I think that the director should pick someone for rue who is an actually good actress, not because she’s african american or white, or because her dad is an actor.
i think that rue should be white with a slight tan
I also think they should stick to the book and mostly to the author’s vision.
And I agree, the example of Peeta is good: he has to be blond and we wouldn’t think of him differently… Rue isn’t described as a white person so why would they change that?
no because she is not a good rue rue she is not suppost to be black
Ofcourse Rue should be cast as an African American, how many times is she described for her beautiful brown skin, hair and eyes. As far as Willow Smith is concerned, I think she is a little too mature looking and well known. Rue is supposed to be young and innocent small.
no they said that rue had olive skin which means she is probably white with a tan because she works outside all day long in the sun
@lil J
Reread your book. She has “satiny brown skin.” That clearly states that she is of color. Whether she is hispanic, eastern indian, black, or even philipino. Her skin is BROWN. There are enough white, or unspecified raced people in the book. Rue and Thresh were clearly labeled as people of color as well as their district. So that shouldnt be changed.
I think it makes the most sense for Rue to be black, especially since District 11 is located where I think it is, which is the southeastern United States. The way the people of District 11 are described is very similar to the description of black tenant farmers during the reconstruction period after the U.S. Civil War, and maybe it’s just me, but it makes perfect sense that a nation would go back to that kind of a system when left to such brutal powers as the Capitol.
Willow Smith has the look that I imagined for Rue, but another actress that I think could pull it off is Jamia Nash. She played in August Rush and did a wonderful job, and she also has an amazing singing voice, which, as we know, is very important for any actress playing the role of Rue.
For the character of Rue she must be African-American. I believe that Collins is noting the connection between America and it’s history of marginalization. The background of agriculture, geographical location, allusion to whipping and music as a didactic means is (in my mind) represtative of slavery in America.
no rue should have a tan and be white because she works in the sun all day!!!!!!! so she will be really tan… she should not be black. and just because it states brown we shouldn’t go straight to o they should be black
How Do You Get That She Is Black? No where in The Hunger Games, Catching Fire , or Mockingjay does it even come close to defining anyone as one race or another. I find this absurd and appauling that you want to make this about race. Let the books stand for what they are. Amazing, wonderful, and completetly vague. Of course any reader can visualize the characters as they want them to look, That’s the beauty of reading, I am at a loss for words, and can only hope that someone reading this responds.
It’s a higher likelihood that Rue is Black than it is she is a White. Actually, there is NO possibility that she is White. An author like Collins wouldn’t describe a character as having “dark brown” or “satiny brown” skin if she wanted to leave the character’s appearance that much up to the reader’s interpretation. However, I do agree that she Rue can possibly be either of African, Mexican or Filipino descent, or any other dark-skinned people. Also, just to point out the agricultural history of the US, traditionally farm workers have been Black (back during the Antebellum South and well into post-Emancipation sharecropping and Jim Crow), and out west farm workers were primarily of Mexican and Filipino descent. Rue was from the agricultural district. It’s unlikely that this is pure coincidence with a writer liek Collins.
Those of you who INSIST that Rue is White (even with a tan) when there is canon from the books to suggest otherwise are…i dunno…highly suspect.
Well, I do agree that Rue should be black. But Williow Smith? She has NO talent. She would kill the movie for me.
I think Rue is Native American, but so long as whoever is selected does the character justice, I don’t care what she looks like. To prove this, click this link, best scene EVER! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_jw3z68TW0
i dont know, im kinda sick of seeing the smith kids. i mean, jaden was a pretty good in karate kiid, but willow was not good in whip my hair. in fact i hated that song. me and my bro and his gf were just sitting there laughing at the movie. its repetitive, the choreography is bad, it sounds completely syntheseisesd.
please dont say im just being critical and that she has lots of talents and im just saying that cos im jealous or something. i do believe she has talent. im just saying i hated that song. im sure she would be good in other things.
for the colour matter, i dont really think it matters. if theyve got a better white giril auditioning then go with her.. talent first, looks second.
oh and @JamesDye, Collins stated numereous times that she had satiny brown skin. and appaled is a bit strong. sounds like your kinda racist. i think a film likke that should have some colour in it cos otherwise it will be ‘bleached’ like the film Last Airbender was and theyll gedt critisced for it.
also check out this site.
http://www.syrc.com.au
Race shouldn’t ever matter, but ESPECIALLY not in Panem!!! That is obviously not the problem in these books. Like, I wanted Jodelle Ferland (not african american) to play her as my first option in the beginning, but she’s too old now. Because of this, my first option now (in my opinion) is Yara Shahidi (african american).
I am hoping they keep as close as possible to the books, especially since suzanne collins is the screenwriter.
I am worried about who they cast, because though race does not matter, acting skill and whether they are able to get to the emotional pitch required does matter, and they will never fit our own personal katniss, peeta, rue, gale, etc. they should be pretty darn close to the book. and I am more worried about the effects, when I read this book I was hoping they wouldn’t make a movie out of it, because I fear it will turn out like Twilight, Eragon or even (except like the first one..) the Harry Potter movies…they have been butchered….I really hope the same thing does not happen with this…because these books are at the top of my list.
honestly i don’t think it’d be very good for rue to be played by willow, or really anyone who won’t resembles prims character. i’m not racest or anything, but doesn’t katniss pick rue as an ally partially because she reminds her of prim? and isn’t that why katniss was so protective of rue, because she felt likein a way, she was protecting prim? and yes i know race doen’t matter, but if your trying to cast the characters, they kinda need to resemble the ones in the book. and plus, most of the youtube videos i’ve seen show rue as a blonde little girl, kinda how i imagined prim to look. (just sayin)
I think Savannah Kylie Lewis should play Rue in The Hunger Games
NO! NO NO NO I do not want willow to be cast….shes already famous enough, why not stick to he plan and hire a “nobody”? im sorry, but i really really really really really reallyreally REALLY want 2 play Rue…(i have deep olive skinn)
hi everyone! my name is Meg, and i act for a professional agency, Noble Talent Management. ive been on several auditions before, and i understand completely that looks are very important. however, acting skills come first. plus, were talking about Hollywood here- the place that has every tool possible to change the apperance of someone, so they can easily make a white person look deeply tanned, or even african american. and i agree: im starting to get sick of the Smith kids parading around Hollywood just because both of their parents are famous. also, Willow has never had any acting experience, and singing “i whip my hair back and forth” over and over again isnt exactly my definition of talent. besides, Lionsgate Productions (the people who have the rights to the Hunger Games movie) are looking for most of the cast to be undiscovered (not already famous). im sorry if i come off as rude, but i just wanna state the truth. thanks! happy hunger games, and may the odds be EVER in your favor!
<3, meg
Okay I have no problem with race not being an issue when casting as long as this goes for ALL of the characters. Why don’t we get a black Peeta and an asian Katniss if it doesn’t matter -.-
I feel like the same ppl saying Rue doesn’t need to be the exact race are the same ones nitpicking at Peeta and Katniss if their eye color is a bit off. It’s hypocritical.
and ppl please stop saying “rue had a tan, but was white” what white person do you know that has gone tanning so much that their skin looks like satin!? none
I am very anxious for the hungeer games movie and i think i would be perfect for the part of rue or katniss if there is anyway i could get an audition or something…
I think that [no affence] that a white person should play rue. Not a girl who got a mohawk. Rue should be played by that girl from big time rush. The little sister.
We should personally ask Suzzane Collins if Rue was African American in her mind, I mean shes the only one that really knows!
Actually she already said Rue and Thresh were african-american. you can read it here: http://insidemovies.ew.com/2011/03/17/hunger-games-gary-ross-jennifer-lawrence/
it’s under the 4th heading.
yea clearly the “race doesnt matter” thing is being twisted to “she should be white cuz it’s cute”. Heck no! lets put some diversity in the mix. and to the wierdo who said she’d be tanned cuz she works out in the sun. read the book dipstick. on pg 98 it says satiny brown skin and on 45 it says dark brown. not necessarily black but how many dark brown white ppl do you know??….. hm ya. all these caucasion ppl you listed would be perfect for prim!! however in the book katniss says that rue reminds her of prim except for the fact that she was dark skinned with dark eyes. my goodness did we just not read or pick up details on our characters. i love a mix of ethinicties so lets try and stick to the book so we dont have another “Last Air-blunder”
I think Willow Smith is a bad choice for Rue…. She just doesnt fit.
yea Hayley i don’t think anyone wants Willow lol.
@mimi i dont think ur trying tob racist i just think you dindnt play close enough attentionto the bookon pg 98 she writes rue has sainty brown skin and you tookthe fact that rue reminded her of prim too literally b/c of her innocence age and so on she reminded her of primshe dosent have to looklike prim 2 be like prim.
some thing is wrong with my spacebar
They said Rue, specifically(I have the book right ehre), has dark skin, dark hair, and dark eyes. I think it just isnt as good if you change the characters’ physical profile too much.
I love Willow Smith for the role. I would definitely be angry if the characters’ profiles werent as close as possible, so I would not approve and I would not like to watch it.
in the last book, it is said that panem is supposedly “a perfect world” which means that there are only whites. To me, this isn’t a perfect world, just what the capitol would think of a perfect world. so Rue, would probably have a dark look to her, but not african american
This may sound strange but I would like to be casted as Rue. I mean, not to be mean or anything, but Willow Smith just doesn’t have the thing that Rue needs. Lets face it, she has no acting experience and her stupid hit-single wouldn’t cut it. She’s only famous cause her parents are are famous and good actors.
Hello again. sorry my computers goofy so this should be part of my other comment. Anyways, I really want to be casted for Rue. I have naturally tan olive skin, big brown eyes, and dark brown hair. I am thin but muscular and can run very fast. The thing is I am tall, practically a nobody and have no agent. If any body has Gary Ross’s email, could you email it to me or give me the website its listed on?
This book takes place very far in the future! I would expect there to be a huge mixture in race. The people in the capitol all have different skin tones, even going so far as to have green skin. The cast of the hunger games should be very diverse and the characters should stay very close to as they are described in the books.
Willow looks the part, not so sure she can play the part.
I really don’t care what race she is as long as she is small and adorable! If she is black or white it doesn’t really matter to me. In the books I actually pictured her as being Hispanic. But as I said it doesn’t really matter as much as acting skills.
Oh and also if you guys haven’t heard Katniss is being played by Jenifer lawrence, Gale- Liam Hemsworth, Peeta Josh Hutcherson. My speling is not veritable lol. Jennifer lawrence has blond hair and green eyes and Josh has brown hair! So those of you who are freaked about the smallest details……….woops.
That’s messed up! the profiles of the actors dont fit the characters! lame. theyd better make them resemble the characters, or else i’m going to hesitate to watch it, and i might not like it.
My friend riley would be a perfect rue although she is not afracian amracian she is half pholapinioe and is very tan her skin gets darker in late spring and summer. She is at the age of 12 and has brown eyes but depending on what she wears her eyes Brighten or darken. She relates to rue, wene she was little she was always climbing trees. She is so good at singing and she is the best acter I know.
Please tell me what you think.
Thanks, bye
Y
You want to see the real RUE…goto You Tube and type in HUNGER GAMES: KATNISS & RUE…Watch the video with Danielle Chuchran and Savanna Kylie Lewis…THEY SHOULD BE THE ACTRESSES IN THE MOVIE!!! COMMON SUZANNE COLLINS..TAKE A LOOK….
I pictured Rue as a native american. I think it would be fine if she were a african american but given her closeness to nature and ability to use it to her advantage in the Hunger Games, she should be a part of a race that is known for that; native americans.
I don’t think Willow Smith is the right person for this part, I agree that the part should be played by an african american person because that is how Rue is described in the book, I should know I have read the book nine times and listened to it on tape twice. I think the part should be played by someone no one has heard about, but is an amazing little actress.
She’d be a good choice but i think rue has to be more inoscent and young looking
When I imagined Rue, I imagined her as Willow Smith. So I would be happy to have it actually be her
NOOOO i think my friend looks how rue should i think it should be puerto rican they have the skin described this would ruin the movie if its a black person no offense
you know, they already have the person who is Playing Rue, her name is Amandla Stenberg heres the url to a pic of her http://hungergamesmovie.org/images/amandla_stenberg-315×472.jpg
I think she’ll do wonderful, way better than I thonk Willow Smith may have done
I think Willow Smith is perfect to play the role. she is going to make a perfect character and if you dont pick Rue, then pick someone that is dark skinned or light skinned African American. I always imagined Rue as African American because she the youngest but can still be able to survive the wilderness, deserts, and woods. Though am also tired of the smith kids, you should pick someone new for the role who has not been showed in many films and has the experience of what it is like to live in the situation and also has the emotions ans top of all beauty. –Vivian Mamboleo
The book says she had brown hair brown eyes and worked in the fields with trees. Mexican
Blacks have black hair and big afrows and don’t work.
MEXICAN.
no im sorry but i think suzzane meant african american so yeah but no for willow i dont thinks shell be good