Black Actors Airbrushed Out Of 'Couple's Retreat' Posters - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 11-15-2009, 10:01 PM

Campaign groups in Britain have taken aim at the Hollywood studio behind recent comedy movie Couples Retreat after two black actors were airbrushed from publicity posters in the U.K.

The American advert for the film, which stars Vince Vaughn, Jon Favreau and Kristin Davis, shows all eight of the movie's principal actors, including Faizon Love and Kali Hawk.

But Love and Hawk were removed from the promotional campaign ahead of the movie's U.K. release last month.

Vivienne Pattison, spokeswoman for Mediawatch-UK, says, "I think this was an ill-conceived move. We celebrate diversity in Britain and we could have coped with seeing the same poster used in America."

A spokesperson for Universal Pictures apologized for any offense the posters may have caused, and insisted plans to use the airbrushed images in other countries have been abandoned.

The rep says, "(The new image was used) to simplify the poster to actors who are most recognizable in international markets."

http://www.starpulse.com/news/index....ouple_s_1?af=1

Schmoopie · 11-16-2009, 12:38 AM

I don't buy that for a minute. What a ridiculous excuse! That's just plain discriminatory. I won't call them racist, but it could be seen that way.

Marvo301 · 11-16-2009, 12:50 AM

A very flimsy excuse indeed.

PlayOn · 11-16-2009, 11:38 AM

What?! You have to be famous in order for movie goers to see your face? Stupid.

comedyfreak · 11-16-2009, 03:44 PM

A very bad excuse, they must think we're stupid or something.

Superstar · 11-16-2009, 04:07 PM

When I saw the headline at EW I immediately thought that it must have been because they were the least recognizable. I mean it's true, the other actors are more recognizable, and I assume that following the bad reviews the movie got in the US they wanted to try and sell the movie based on star power.

I don't really see any problem.

catlover79 · 11-16-2009, 04:15 PM

What a mess.

waichingliu81 · 11-16-2009, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmoopie

I don't buy that for a minute. What a ridiculous excuse! That's just plain discriminatory. I won't call them racist, but it could be seen that way.

i saw the poster for that film on one of the london buses today, but i agree. that excuse of theirs is just lame. they must think we are all interested in the main stars of the movie, and no one else.

11-15-2009, 10:01 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Black Actors Airbrushed Out Of 'Couple's Retreat' Posters Campaign groups in Britain have taken aim at the Hollywood studio behind recent comedy movie Couples Retreat after two black actors were airbrushed from publicity posters in the U.K. The American advert for the film, which stars Vince Vaughn, Jon Favreau and Kristin Davis, shows all eight of the movie's principal actors, including Faizon Love and Kali Hawk. But Love and Hawk were removed from the promotional campaign ahead of the movie's U.K. release last month. Vivienne Pattison, spokeswoman for Mediawatch-UK, says, "I think this was an ill-conceived move. We celebrate diversity in Britain and we could have coped with seeing the same poster used in America." A spokesperson for Universal Pictures apologized for any offense the posters may have caused, and insisted plans to use the airbrushed images in other countries have been abandoned. The rep says, "(The new image was used) to simplify the poster to actors who are most recognizable in international markets." http://www.starpulse.com/news/index....ouple_s_1?af=1 Attached Images
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11-16-2009, 12:38 AM	#2
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	I don't buy that for a minute. What a ridiculous excuse! That's just plain discriminatory. I won't call them racist, but it could be seen that way.
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11-16-2009, 12:50 AM	#3
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,456	A very flimsy excuse indeed.
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11-16-2009, 11:38 AM	#4
PlayOn ADHD: what I have not who I am Senior Member Join Date: Jun 17, 2006 Location: I'll never tell. :p Posts: 2,745	What?! You have to be famous in order for movie goers to see your face? Stupid.
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11-16-2009, 03:44 PM	#5
comedyfreak Cheers! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 14, 2005 Location: Sunny California Posts: 11,060	A very bad excuse, they must think we're stupid or something.
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11-16-2009, 04:07 PM	#6
Superstar Member Forum Icon Join Date: Dec 08, 2003 Posts: 63,316	When I saw the headline at EW I immediately thought that it must have been because they were the least recognizable. I mean it's true, the other actors are more recognizable, and I assume that following the bad reviews the movie got in the US they wanted to try and sell the movie based on star power. I don't really see any problem.

11-16-2009, 04:15 PM	#7
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	What a mess.
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