Actress Scarlett Johansson is once again under fire for a casting controversy after she accepted a role as a transgender man in the upcoming film Rug & Tug. Johansson will recount the true story of Jean Marie Gil, who was born a woman before identifying herself as a man. Under the name Dante “Tex” Gill, she operated a massage parlor and prostitution ring in Pittsburgh in the 1970s. However, the decision to give Johansson the role has caused anger among gender activists who claim the role should have been given to a real transgender man.
In a statement provided to Bustle, Johansson downplayed the controversy and referenced other actors who have played the roles of transgender characters. “Tell them they can be directed to Jeffrey Tambor, Jared Leto, and Felicity Huffman’s reps for comment,” she said.
This is not the first time Johansson has come under fire for accepting a role, she was also the subject of scrutiny after she was cast in last year’s Ghost In The Shell which many believe that role should have gone to an Asian actress.
Johansson known for her progressive activism on such issues as abortion and her resistance to President Trump, responded to the Ghost criticism in an interview with Marie Clare, where she claimed she “certainly would never presume to play another race of a person.”
“Diversity is important in Hollywood, and I would never want to feel like I was playing a character that was offensive,” she explained. “Also, having a franchise with a female protagonist driving it is such a rare opportunity. Certainly, I feel the enormous pressure of that — the weight of such a big property on my shoulders.”
Have to admit, I’m on the critical side here. Would be better if they had trannies starring in tranny roles. There are times I get sick of whitewashing in films (ala Gods of Egypt). On the other hand, if there aren’t any trannies available who can act in the role as well as Johansson can…
She should play a waterhead.
To be absolved, she needs to yell 3 “F*ck Trumps” during an award ceremony and one “Hail Sanders” afterwards.
Or make another call to Harvey Weinstein like she’s been doing since 2004
As much as I’ve grown to feel apprehensive about Johnson and her acting skills, this controversy is ridiculous. Transgender is not a race. Actors have done it before with critical acclaim and praise. That’s like saying Oldman wasn’t actually fat therefore he shouldn’t have won an Oscar for Darkest Hour.
Problem is the left is that they always end up getting bit by their own because everything offends them, even something is dumb as this.
I think that’s the worst thing about the radical left. They turn on you and make you public enemy #1. No forgiveness, no sense of loyalty.
Yeah, they’ll will turn on you on a dime, even if you agree with them and push their ideas
Actors can play anyone. Period. By the logic that Scarlett shouldn’t play a trans role, a trans person shouldn’t play a non-trans person. Thanks media, for blowing up another non-issue into something to get enraged about.