22 Films Where the White Protagonist Is Canonically the Sidekick to a Black Lead

Hollywood has historically relied on casting Black actors as the supportive best friend or comic relief to a white hero. A refreshing subversion of this dynamic places the Black character front and center as the driving force of the narrative while the white character supports them. This inversion creates unique storytelling opportunities and highlights the commanding presence of Black leading stars in genres ranging from action to sci-fi. The following films feature instances where the white character canonically serves as the sidekick or support system to a Black lead.

‘Blade’ (1998)

Wesley Snipes stars as the iconic vampire hunter who protects humanity from the undead. His mentor and weaponsmith Whistler serves as the crucial support system for the Daywalker throughout his mission. The grizzled veteran provides the tactical gear and emotional grounding Blade needs to survive his war against Deacon Frost. This dynamic establishes the white character as the guy in the chair rather than the one saving the day.

‘Beverly Hills Cop’ (1984)

Detroit detective Axel Foley heads to Beverly Hills to solve the murder of his childhood friend. He teams up with local detective Billy Rosewood who is initially by the book but eventually learns to loosen up under Axel’s influence. Rosewood looks up to Foley as the more experienced and street-smart officer who drives the investigation forward. The partnership solidified the trope of the uptight white sidekick learning from the cool Black protagonist.

‘Tenet’ (2020)

John David Washington plays the Protagonist who is recruited by a secret organization to prevent World War III. Robert Pattinson co-stars as Neil and acts as the handler who assists the Protagonist throughout the temporal mission. Neil explicitly refers to himself as the sidekick during the film and dedicates his life to ensuring the Protagonist succeeds. The narrative reveals that the Black lead is the mastermind behind the entire operation.

‘Black Panther’ (2018)

T’Challa returns home to the African nation of Wakanda to take his rightful place as king. CIA agent Everett Ross becomes an ally to the Wakandans and plays a supporting role in their fight against Killmonger. Ross follows the lead of Shuri and the Dora Milaje rather than taking charge of the situation himself. His character serves as a useful asset who takes orders from the Black heroes to help protect their kingdom.

‘Django Unchained’ (2012)

A freed slave named Django travels across the United States to rescue his wife from a brutal plantation owner. Dr. King Schultz acts as a mentor figure who initially frees Django but ultimately devotes his life to Django’s cause. The German bounty hunter supports Django’s transformation into a formidable gunslinger and sacrifices himself to aid the mission. The story belongs to Django while Schultz facilitates his journey of vengeance.

‘Creed’ (2015)

Adonis Creed seeks to build his own legacy in the boxing world outside of his father’s shadow. He tracks down Rocky Balboa and convinces the retired champion to become his trainer and corner man. Rocky takes a supporting role as the mentor who guides the young fighter through physical and emotional challenges. The film focuses on Adonis’s rise to greatness while the white legacy character plays a secondary supportive part.

‘Hitch’ (2005)

Alex Hitchens is a professional date doctor who helps men woo the women of their dreams. He takes on a new client named Albert Brennaman who is a clumsy and awkward accountant in need of serious guidance. Albert serves as the comedic foil and student who relies entirely on Hitch’s expertise to succeed in his romantic endeavors. The film centers on Hitch’s mastery of romance while Albert provides the bumbling sidekick energy.

‘Wild Wild West’ (1999)

Jim West is a charming and capable government agent assigned to stop a Confederate scientist from destroying the United States. He is partnered with Artemus Gordon who is an eccentric inventor responsible for creating gadgets and disguises. West handles the action and leadership duties while Gordon provides technical support and comic relief. The dynamic positions the Black hero as the man of action and the white partner as the quirky assistant.

‘Day Shift’ (2022)

A vampire hunter uses his pool cleaning business as a front to collect bounties in the San Fernando Valley. He is forced to work with a union representative named Seth who is inexperienced in field combat. Seth acts as the terrified observer and bureaucratic sidekick who eventually learns to fight alongside the veteran hunter. The film emphasizes the competence of the Black lead compared to his novice white partner.

‘Blue Streak’ (1999)

A jewel thief poses as a police officer to retrieve a diamond he hid inside a police station before his arrest. He is assigned a naive rookie partner named Carlson who believes the thief is a genius transfer detective. Carlson follows his partner’s unorthodox methods with admiration and provides backup during the investigations. The white character plays the straight man to the Black lead’s comedic deception.

‘The Man’ (2005)

A federal agent seeks to recover stolen weapons but gets saddled with a dental supply salesman during the operation. The salesman is mistaken for the agent and must play along while the actual agent directs the action. The hard-nosed agent drags the complaining civilian along as an unwilling sidekick throughout the dangerous mission. The film relies on the contrast between the tough Black professional and the soft white civilian.

‘Spies in Disguise’ (2019)

Super spy Lance Sterling is turned into a pigeon and must rely on his social outcast tech officer Walter Beckett to save the world. Walter provides the non-violent gadgets and scientific knowledge that Sterling needs to complete his mission. The story focuses on Sterling learning to appreciate the unique methods of his eccentric support staff. Walter functions as the guy in the chair who enables the hero’s success.

‘Marshall’ (2017)

Thurgood Marshall is sent to Connecticut to defend a Black chauffeur accused of sexual assault. He is barred from speaking in court and must guide a local white insurance lawyer named Sam Friedman to present the defense. Friedman acts as the mouthpiece for Marshall and follows his precise legal instructions to win the case. The film highlights Marshall’s legal brilliance as he orchestrates the trial through his white counterpart.

‘Undercover Brother’ (2002)

A funk-loving secret agent works to stop a villainous organization from erasing Black culture. He is joined by a white intern named Lance who is hired as part of an affirmative action program within the brotherhood. Lance serves as the culturally oblivious sidekick who tries earnestly to fit in with the rest of the team. The character is a satirical reversal of the token Black character trope often found in spy films.

‘The Dark Tower’ (2017)

The last Gunslinger Roland Deschain is locked in an eternal battle with the Man in Black. A young boy from Earth named Jake Chambers discovers the alternate dimension and joins Roland on his quest. Jake acts as the companion and moral compass who motivates the weary warrior to continue his fight. The narrative centers on the Gunslinger’s burden while the white character supports his journey.

‘The Book of Eli’ (2010)

A lone nomad travels across a post-apocalyptic America to protect a sacred book that holds the secrets to saving humanity. He is joined by a young woman named Solara who escapes her stepfather’s rule to follow him. Solara becomes the student and protégé who learns survival skills from the stoic traveler. The film focuses on Eli’s divine mission while Solara acts as his witness and successor.

‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’ (2018)

Miles Morales is a teenager who gains superpowers and must learn to become the new Spider-Man of his universe. He meets an older and washed-up Peter B. Parker who reluctantly agrees to mentor him. The jaded veteran plays a supporting role to Miles as the boy discovers his own path to heroism. The story belongs to Miles while the white version of the hero serves as the guide.

‘Remember the Titans’ (2000)

Herman Boone is appointed as the new head coach of a racially integrated high school football team in Virginia. The former white head coach Bill Yoast agrees to stay on as the assistant defensive coordinator to help the team succeed. Yoast supports Boone’s leadership and helps bridge the divide between the players and the community. The film focuses on Boone’s struggle and triumph as the leader of the team.

‘Money Talks’ (1997)

A small-time hustler is accused of a crime he did not commit and goes on the run. He seeks protection from a self-absorbed television news reporter who sees the story as his ticket to fame. The reporter acts as the straight man and driver while the hustler dictates the chaotic events of the film. The dynamic places the Black character as the chaotic center of attention while the white character reacts to him.

‘Steel’ (1997)

John Henry Irons designs advanced weapons for the military but resigns when his creations are used to harm the innocent. He teams up with a wheelchair-bound electronics expert named Sparky to build a suit of armor to fight crime. Sparky serves as the technical genius who monitors systems and provides intelligence from their base. The white character fills the traditional role of the tech support sidekick.

‘The Adventures of Pluto Nash’ (2002)

A retired smuggler who owns a nightclub on the moon refuses to sell his business to the local mob. He goes on the run with his bodyguard Bruno who happens to be an outdated android model. Bruno acts as the loyal and literal-minded protector who assists his boss during gunfights and escapes. The robot sidekick provides physical support and comic relief to the human lead.

‘National Security’ (2003)

A disgraced police academy reject works as a security guard and uncovers a smuggling operation. He is partnered with a white police officer who was previously demoted due to a misunderstanding involving the guard. The security guard takes the lead in the investigation and drives the comedic tone of the movie. The white officer plays the frustrated straight man who is dragged along for the ride.

Tell us which of these dynamic duos is your favorite in the comments.