April 23, 2009

Wolf Pack shows savage side

First Look at Wolf Pack in ‘New Moon’

Shirtless and fierceThe first official promo shot for “New Moon” has just been released, in what is certainly a cornerstone moment for the “Twilight Saga.” Although it has nothing to do with the much-loved vampire Edward or his human girlfriend who can see past the differences, Bella, the photo is already causing massive waves for a very simple reason, as USA Today can confirm: it shows the wolf pack members shirtless.

As Alex Meraz also revealed a couple of days ago, the members of the wolf pack would spend most of “New Moon” without their shirts on account of the fact that werewolves have a higher body temperature, as fans who have read the Stephanie Meyer novels must already know. Given this, it’s only understandable that the first promo shot for the film with the wolf pack members also showed them without their shirt on.

“Unlike cold-blooded neck biters, these poster guys for animal magnetism are hot. So hot that their temperature runs a steady 108 degrees.” USA Today says in the piece accompanying the photo. “Four actors–-Chaske Spencer, Alex Meraz, Kiowa Gordon and Bronson Pelletier, all with Native American heritage-–join Taylor Lautner, 17, who returns as a hairier, scarier Jacob Black.
Comment:  The first question is what happened to Tyson Houseman (Cree)? He's still listed as playing Quil Ateara on IMDB.com, so what gives? Did they decide not to call him a member of the Wolf Pack because he isn't cute and buff enough? Did they fire him but fail to notify IMDB.com? Or...?

The next question is..."shirtless and fierce"? That's how they're promoting the Native actors? Why not add some feathers and warpaint to complete the picture?

I'm of two minds about about this development. On the one hand, it's good to promote Native actors as sex symbols. On the other hand, it's bad to promote them as half-naked beast-men--i.e., savages. Ideally, movies would feature half-naked Indians in more modern roles--e.g., as construction workers, lifeguards, or masseurs like John Redcorn.

Anyway, I look forward to the part where the Wolf Pack members prove they're not just mindless pretty boys. That is, when they solve problems with brains rather than brawn. When their fangs and claws are incidental to, not central to, their characters.

For more on the subject, see Quileute Werewolves in Twilight.

Below:  "Look out, Twilight fans! We're coming to ravish you! Grrr!"

4 comments:

dmarks said...

"That is, when they solve problems with brains rather than brawn. When their fangs and claws are incidental to, not central to, their characters."

Unfortunately, the only way to get rid of any Twilight vampire is to tear them to pieces and then burn the pieces. And the only reason some Quileutes become werewolves in the books is because these wolves are strong enough to tear the vampires to bits. So they solve problems with brawn. When they aren't chattering and bickering amongst themselves.

There are just a few non-Wolf Native characters in the Twilight books, such as Billy Black.

Anonymous said...

Quil Ateara (Tyson Houseman) doesn't change into a wolf until later on in the series. That's probably why he isn't shown with the rest of the wolf pack.

Anonymous said...

I forgot to add that they're shirtless because they shape-shift into a wolf the size of a horse. Their clothes are also destroyed whenever they shape-shift.

dmarks said...

No doubt the movies will have them wear the Quileute equivalent of the Hulk's indestructible purple trousers.