Scottscope Talk Radio 5/14/2013: Fear of a Black Planet!

This week, Scottscope Talk Radio laments the dearth of Black Heroes in modern cinema.  15 years ago, Blade reinvigorated the superhero genre, yet people of color have been noticeably absent from the renaissance that followed.  The few that have been included are only featured in supporting roles.  The rights to the Blade reverted back to Marvel two years ago.  Though they supposedly have a script ready, there are no plans for a reboot as of yet.  There also hasn’t been any movement on a Black Panther film.  Why is the “House of Ideas” so hesitant to add these characters to its cinematic universe?  Should Wesley Snipes return to the role that he made famous?  Is he too old at this point?  Would a Blade reboot be rated PG-13?  Does the prospect of a successful Black superhero frighten the suits in Hollywood?

We’ll also take a look at the history of Black heroes in cinema, from the Blaxploitation era to the present day.  Could Shaft be considered one of the first action films ever made?  Is the term Blaxploitation a misnomer?  Were any of the Black films from that era unfairly labeled as “Blaxploitation”?  Could the genre have continued on longer had the films been better?  At what point were Black heroes relegated to the role of Black sidekick?  Could Roger Murtaugh be considered one of the great Black heroes of cinema?   Is Wesley Snipes one of the most underrated action heroes ever?  Does he deserve a role in the next Expendables film?  Why has no one stepped up to take the mantle he inherited from Jim Kelly?