Johansson expressed her gratitude for the casting controversy that initiated a dialogue regarding inclusivity in the film industry.
Scarlett Johansson has decided to step down from her role in the movie Rub Tug due to criticism over her portrayal of a transgender character. The actress was originally slated to play the part of Dante “Tex” Gill, a notorious crime boss who operated a massage parlor as a cover for illicit activities during the 70s and 80s.
Johansson has announced that she will no longer be playing the role of a transgender person after realizing that it would be inappropriate for her to take on the role. She mentioned in an interview with Out, an LGBT magazine, that as our understanding and awareness of transgender people grows, she learned a lot from the community and recognized that her previous statement about the casting was insensitive.
I can see why some folks believe that Gill’s character should be played by a transgender actor or actress. However, I’m grateful that this discussion about casting choices has opened up a broader dialogue about inclusivity and accuracy in movies.
Social media users have expressed criticism towards the casting, particularly those in the LGBT community who have raised concerns about the lack of opportunities for transgender actors. This issue has been highlighted by GLAAD, an advocacy group that reported none of the 109 films released by the seven major Hollywood studios in 2017 featured a transgender character.
