[Crazy Jetty]

I think it really depends. Sometimes it's important, sometimes not.
Some of it depends on the actor... if you havd an absolutely perfect actor for the role, it shouldn't matter... as is the case with Kingpin. I think Michael Duncan Clark was just a brilliant choice.

Where I think it should matter is if a character is iconic as a particular race. Batman, Captain America, Superman, Black Panther, Storm, Danny Moonstar...

Also if a mantle is filled by multiple people, representing multiple races (Ironman and War Machine, the five earth Green Lanterns), then it should also matter as well. There's absolutely no point in making Ironman or Kyle Rayner black, when you have Rhodie and John.

But a really good and really appropriate actor, for the most part wouldn't matter what race they are. I honestly would not have complained had Denzel Washington been chosen for Ironman, had we never seen what a wonderful job Robert Downy Jr did.
I may have been a little puzzled why they didn't use him for War Machine instead, but I think he'd have done a great job as Stark.

I wouldn't care at all if they'd chosen Michael Duncan Clark for Ben Grimm, and The Thing. He'd have been brilliant.

(Or is his name Michael Clark Duncan? I hate being dyslexic)

As for Beast? At this point, he's been portrayed by three different actors, in three different movies, so I don't think it even matters anymore if he turns up black, lol.

Though, I'd be exceptionally pissed if Green Arrow turned up black. If only because my own archer character is in perpetual design phase because every time I nail a look for him, some version of GA comes along with a very simular look (Between Smallville, and various comic costumes). Being black is the only thing my guy has left that GA hasn't taken!