With Oberyn Martell the "Red Viper" officially cast for the upcoming fourth season of "Game of Thrones," many fans are questioning the casting decision based on the fact that choice actor Pedro Pascal is not what they envisioned racially and ethnically for the role, according to WinterIsComing.net. Author George R. R. Martin look to his Livejournal blog today to comment and respond to fan questions on the Red Viper's ethnicity.
"I wasn't present for Pedro Pascal's audition, but I understand that he really killed it with his reading," Martin wrote. "And since his casting was announced, the producer of another TV show on which he appeared recently has written me to say how terrific Pascal is, and to congratulate us on the casting. So I suspect that he will turn out to be a wonderful Red Viper."
Many fans have been excited to learn that the most highly anticipated "Game of Thrones" role has been officially cast, while others have critiqued the show's producers for casting someone that does not match their ethnic and racial vision of the character, described in the books as having "dark hair and eyes" and "olive skin."
"Sure, he's Chilean," one fan wrote on Twitter. "Kudos for that. But he still looks Caucasian."
"I do know that David and Dan and HBO do favor having a racially and ethnically diverse cast on the series," Martin wrote on his blog. "It is true that we've lost several black characters who appear in the novels (Chataya and Alayaya, Jalabhar Xho, Strong Belwas), but to balance that, characters like Salladhor Saan and Xaro Xhoan Daxos, both white in the books, have been played by black actors. Missandei as well, though in the books the Naathi are golden-skinned, not white.
As for the Dornishmen, well, though by and large I reject one to one analogies, I've always pictured the 'salty Dornish' as being more Mediterranean than African in appearance; Greek, Spanish, Italian, Portugese, etc. Dark hair and eyes, olive skin. Pedro Pascal is Chilean. (Check out Amok's version of the Red Viper, that's how I saw him. Or Magali Villenueve's beautiful and sexy portrait of Princess Arianne).
When and if the show introduces Prince Oberyn's daughters, the Sand Snakes, I expect we will see the same diversity as in the books, ranging from Tyene (blond and blue-eyed) to Sarella (light brown skin, as her mother was a Summer Islander). And I expect that the crew of the CINNAMON WIND will all be cast with black actors..."
Do you agree with the choice of Pedro Pascal for the role of Oberyn Martell? Sound off below in the comments!
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