Forest Whitaker Triumphs Over Racist 'Unbankable' Claim

1. Outrageous! First of all because Forest IS black that automatically makes him beautiful. Since being awarded an Academy Award, this makes him more bankable as he has been in his many years on the screen. Whitaker exudes CLASS much like his predecessors, Poitier, Roberson and the like. Which is rare find by today’s standards of, if you will,"pop" actors--

Keep up the outstanding work Forest!

Goatrydah84 at 4:13PM on Oct 2nd 2008

2. Typical. I'm not surprised at the statement. Forest Whitaker is one of my favorite black actors. He is indeed one of the most talented actors black or otherwise. Given the scripts and roles he's given they should pay him for showing up. They have not even touched the surface of of his talent or charisma. Sad. He may wish he never said that...

Vanessa at 4:16PM on Oct 2nd 2008

3. Truth Hurts sometimes.

Black? Check

Ugly? *crickets*

Unbankable? That MOVIE is unbankable. Sounds magnificent, but 100M destined, I don't think so.

And it wont be Forest's fault either.

Bottom line is...real movies for adults that don't involve explosions, superheroes, or easily followed script-by-numbers are ALREADY handicapped.

Toss in a bunch of Black folk not named Smith or Washington and you best keep the budget under 20M if you want to see it get made AND see some semblance of a profit.


And whose fault is THAT?

its OUR fault. We don't support quality serious entertainment for Black Adults.

Its still ignorant to say...but casting Forest Whitaker in that role is shaving off 15M from the overall gross until Black folk get more sophisticated about their Movie Dollars.

Inkognegro at 4:20PM on Oct 2nd 2008

4. While Whitaker is very unatractive (in my opinion), throwing in the "black & unbankable" was taking it way too far... I applaud the director for sticking to his artistic guns and trying to do what's best for his vision as opposed to following the money!

The Jaded NYer at 4:28PM on Oct 2nd 2008

5. No he isn't the most attractive man in the world...but he is a hell of an actor. Unbankable not quite, he won an Oscar and I am sure he is taking that to the bank.

alicia
http://todaystyle.today.com/

alicia at 4:31PM on Oct 2nd 2008

6. Most aussies walk around like they have a stick up their asses. No surprise, since they're distant cousins of that untouchable group of Europeans known as the british, the group responsible for accelerating the African slave trade. If it weren't for the brilliance of performers like my good friend Forest Whitaker, along with many other gifted Black geniuses, the world wouldn't be blessed to know what true soul, electricity and power on film is, point blank. With that being said, that aussie exec should kiss Forest Whitaker's ass as an apology for being a wholly ignorant faggot european jerkoff.

A Black Man at 5:01PM on Oct 2nd 2008

7. I don't know which is sillier - that the executive made the comment, or that commenters above are actually starting their comments with statements like, "While Whitaker is very unatractive," or "No he isn't the most attractive man in the world, but..."

Sigh...

WATCH US EXPLODE at 5:35PM on Oct 2nd 2008

8. I know it is not a good comment about him. Forget the Oscar. If you ain't making money at the Box Office, you can forget it. Especially brown people. See a white star can have a string of flops and still get a big paycheck. A brown person has two flops and they can forget about asking for a big check until they get another big hit.

Davina at 5:36PM on Oct 2nd 2008

9. The ignorance of some people is astounding. Forest Whitaker is the consummate actor's actor. His beauty is in his art. He touches people in every role he is in. Outer beauty is subjective, and by society's definition mostly superficial. By all accounts, Mr. Whitaker is a beautiful person, hard-working, kind and respectful. I have heard him on talk shows where he talks about love of family. He is a beautiful husband and father. He gives an audience his very best and turns in beautiful performances, and by doing so opens the viewers eyes to realities, dreams and possibilities. I will continue to be a fan of his not for his appearance, but for the "ride" of the beautiful emotional content he gives me when watching his films.

Amazin' Grace at 6:22PM on Oct 2nd 2008

10. This is immature and not even worth mentioning. It's embarrassing that Blackvoices.com is even reporting this non-sense. SOmethings are better left not reported.

Carrie at 6:25PM on Oct 2nd 2008

11. The ignorance of some people is astounding. Forest Whitaker is the consummate actor's actor. His beauty is in his art. He touches people in every role he is in. Outer beauty is subjective, and by society's definition mostly superficial. By all accounts, Mr. Whitaker is a beautiful person, hard-working, kind and respectful. I have heard him on talk shows where he talks about love of family. He is a beautiful husband and father. He gives an audience his very best and turns in beautiful performances, and by doing so opens the viewers eyes to realities, dreams and possibilities. I will continue to be a fan of his not for his appearance, but for the "ride" of the beautiful emotional content he gives me when watching his films.

Amazin Grace at 7:00PM on Oct 2nd 2008

12. i love mr whitaker, when he speaks,he is so proper and elaqent and very well educated...i love his movies.....isnt it sad that in these days BEING BLACK AND EDUCATED IS STILL NOT ENOUGH....we love you mr whitaker......

junebugg at 7:16PM on Oct 2nd 2008

13. oh my god!! i just wanna hit someone over this - forest whittaker is an acting PHENOMENON!!!!! idiotic australian! nx, who needs him!

go on forest with your excellent self! we're just so proud of you - you are an incredible example of black male dignity and pride. a true prince amongst men.

kidawa at 6:12AM on Oct 3rd 2008

14. and i think he's lovely - look at that sweet smile!! lucky keisha!!!

kidawa at 6:14AM on Oct 3rd 2008

15. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder, just ask Forest's supermodel wife. The man is an outstanding talent who is underrated because he doesn't fit the Hollywood stereotypical mold. I do agree with Inkognegro's comment that we, as black people need to do better at supporting our own and making wiser decisions about how we spend our entertainment dollars.

Slim at 7:53AM on Oct 3rd 2008