Name a single movie that nearly invalidates an actor's entire career.

[LynneSin]

17. But there were latino actors and Stephen Bauer's role was pretty major

Just as an FYI I do understand your gripe. I felt the same way when they cast "Memoirs of a Geisha" and yet none of the 3 main female actresses were Japanese (2 were Chinese and one was Chinese-Malaysian). I know that there was alot of controversy in Japan about this because there is still bad blood between the two countries.

And the thing is this - some Americans can tell the difference between someone from China vs. someone from Japan.

Having said that, the 3 actressed used for the main 3 characters were all very good choices - Zhang Ziyi, Gong Li,
Michelle Yeoh although I thought Michelle Yeoh & Gong Li were both just a tad too old to play Mameha (both were nearing 40 when they took on the roles whereas in the book these women were more in their 20s). Fortunately both women did well and looked younger than what they were in age.