It was recently announced that American actor Faran Tahir has been cast as a captain of a Starfleet vessel in the new Star Trek film. I say American actor because that’s what he is – he’s an American man of Pakistani descent. The description given to him by Trekmovie.com states he’s a Pakistani actor. (I sigh and grumble.) I’d like to address this as it is relevant to Star Trek and what it stands for and has always stood for.
His role is being described as “meaty” and “heroic” and will have “some action scenes.” So, apparently Mr. Tahir will be playing a “strong” captain. Good! This film will need to be packed full of strong characters if it’s going to be believable. Starfleet is not a wimpy organization after all and captains need to be strong!
What I love most is the fact that Mr. Tahir’s casting continues the tradition of race-inclusive casting that Star Trek has always been famous for and at a time it is sorely needed. He’s a man of Middle-Eastern descent and his role is one of authority and command. What a wonderful thing for him and the Middle-Eastern community!
We as a nation are desperate to see more positive role-models for men and women of Middle-Eastern descent. I am sick and tired of seeing great actors plugged into roles of the terrorist or the mobster or the drug-dealer because of the color of their skin or their heritage.
Mr. Tahir is an amazing actor. His filmography is replete with great roles… but too many of those roles are of characters that could be described as the antagonist or the “baddie.” Even his role in the new Iron Man film is described as the “bad guy.” I see too many actors of Middle-Eastern descent being typecast as the “bad guys” in the same way we saw and frankly still see African-American actors being cast as the heavies.
Think it’s purely because there aren’t enough roles being produced by Hollywood for the non-white actors? Bull. The roles in most films could be acted by anyone - race or gender. Then why doesn’t Hollywood push for color-blind/gender-blind casting then? Unfortunately we all know the answer... it just wouldn’t sell and Hollywood won’t push what it can’t sell. They have shareholders to report to after all.
Therefore it’s up to us to use our money to support entertainment that supports race/gender-inclusive or race/gender-blind casting. Luckily, watching the new Star Trek film will fall into this category. And when Hollywood takes notice that we will actually spend money to see a Pakistani man, an African-American woman or the like in a lead role that normally would have gone to a white man then we might actually get to see more roles go to them.
Trust me, I’m not that idealistic. Wait a minute, yes I am! I do believe it can happen; I’m just not so sure when it will.
In the meantime, thank goodness we have something like the new Star Trek movie to look forward to, don’t you think? I can’t wait until I sit in the darkened theatre to watch a man of Pakistani descent commanding a starship “heroically.”
Congratulations Mr. Tahir. I am very happy for you... but I’m happier for all of us.
It was recently announced that American actor Faran Tahir has been cast as a captain of a Starfleet vessel in the new Star Trek film. I say American actor because that’s what he is – he’s an American man of Pakistani descent. The description given to him by Trekmovie.com states he’s a Pakistani actor. (I sigh and grumble.) I’d like to address this as it is relevant to Star Trek and what it stands for and has always stood for.
