Racial 'Fantastic Four' Backlash: Michael B. Jordan Comments [VIDEO]

The Human Torch is a young, cocky, and charismatic superhero who can turn his whole body into flames. Actor Michael B. Jordan is young and can play cocky and charismatic with the best of them. So why are some people so mad director Josh Trank cast him in the 2015 reboot of Fantastic Four? Simply put, in the comics the Human Torch is white and Michael B. Jordan is black. Some fans don't want a black Human Torch.

Since the rumors of Jordan's casting began, his race has been a major topic of discussion. While the actor has commented briefly in the past, that was before he'd officially been announced for the role. That announcement has now taken place and, below, you can watch and listen to him talking about the controversy.

Thanks to Cinefilos.it via Superhero Hype for the video. (Note: This was in Superhero Bits yesterday.)

If you can't get the video to work, here's the transcription:

It was expected. You kinda know going into it that people are used to seeing something one way, it's a continuity thing more than anything. People don't like change too much. But annoyed? Eh, you just kinda accept it, it is what it is. You can't make everybody happy. You just gotta accept that and know. I'm an actor, I have to do my job. I'm going to do my job the best I can and the way I've been doing it my entire life, my entire career. I grew up a comic book guy, I read comic books as a kid growing up, and the Fantastic Four/Human Torch is one of my favorite characters so I'm going to give it my everything. I can't wait. I don't really let it bother me at all. I just want to go into it and do the best job I can. We'll see what happens.

As well as this on his excitement:

The Human Torch is, 'yknow, that's fun. That's going to be a good time...To play a superhero? That's dreams coming true. It's not going to be hard. It's going to be fun to kind of show a side of me that I don't really get to show on screen, to be a little bit lighter, funnier, just more personality. It's going to be fun.

Good for Jordan that he's taking the high road here. He shouldn't have to defend who he is or why he was chosen. What's more important? That an actor is perfect for the part of looks perfect in the part? A black Human Torch is going to be awesome.

Josh Trank's Fantastic Four, starring Miles Teller, Kate Mara, Jamie Bell and Michael B. Jordan opens June 19, 2015.