Scarlett Johanssonhas withdrawn from playing a transgender man in the upcoming filmRub & Tugafter facingbacklashfor taking on the project.
“In light of recent ethical questions raised surrounding my casting as Dante Tex Gill, I have decided to respectfully withdraw my participation in the project,” Johansson, 33, toldOut.comin a statement on Friday. “Our cultural understanding of transgender people continues to advance, and I’ve learned a lot from the community since making my first statement about my casting and realize it was insensitive. I have great admiration and love for the trans community and am grateful that the conversation regarding inclusivity in Hollywood continues.”
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The biopic will center on the life of Jean Marie Gill, who was born female but identified as a male Dante “Tex” Gill and ran a massage parlor and prostitution business in Pittsburgh in the 1970s and ’80s. The July 2 announcement of Johansson’s casting was immediately met with criticism for not using a trans actor in the role.
A rep for Johansson said in astatement to Bustleat the time, “Tell them they can be directed to Jeffrey Tambor, Jared Leto, and Felicity Huffman’s reps for comment,” referencing other cisgender actors who have portrayed trans characters.
Now after a group oftrans male actors even posted their auditionsfor some of Johansson’s famous roles to make a point about taking parts that would be better suited for other actors, the four-time Golden Globe nominee has reconsidered.
She added, “My production company, These Pictures, actively pursues projects that both entertain and push boundaries. We look forward to working with every community to bring these most poignant and important stories to audiences worldwide.”
source: people.com
