Update, 7/13: Scarlett Johansson has withdrawn from the film Rub & Tug, after receiving backlash for her casting as a transgender man. The actress told Out.com in a statement:
"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. 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."
Johansson continued to say that she acknowledges the lack of trans representation onscreen and understands why people have argued that her Rub & Tug role should be portrayed by a trans person.
She also added that she's "thankful that this casting debate, albeit controversial, has sparked a larger conversation about diversity and representation in film," and that she believes "all artists should be considered equally and fairly."
Read her full statement on Out.com.
Original story, 7/4: Scarlett Johansson's latest role is causing controversy already, and filming hasn't even begun.
According to People, Johansson has been cast as trans man Dante "Tex" Gill in upcoming movie Rub & Tug. Gill owned a massage parlor in Pittsburgh in the 1970s, allegedly operating as part of the underground sex industry. The BBC describes Gill as a "Pittsburgh crime boss" who was assigned female at birth but identified as a man, asking to be referred to as "Mr Gill."
While descriptions of Gill vary greatly between publications, the BBC points out that Gill's official obituary notes that they "may even have undergone the initial stages of a sex change." Bustle reports that, "If Gill identified as a transgender man, it's definitely problematic for Johansson, a cisgender woman, to portray Gill on screen."
The internet reacted quickly to Johansson's casting, calling for a trans man to be cast in the role instead.
However, the Avengers actress appeared to disagree with any criticism, by issuing a divisive statement regarding her new part.
In response to the backlash, Johansson issued a statement to Bustle via her representative who said, "Tell them that they can be directed to Jeffrey Tambor, Jared Leto, and Felicity Huffman's reps for comment."
Tambor played a trans woman in Transparent, while Huffman starred in the movie Transamerica. Leto famously won an Oscar for his role in Dallas Buyers Club, which was released in 2013, but told The Telegraph in April 2018 that he would "probably pass" if offered the part again. He elaborated, "I think we should make sure we always think first of people in the minority that don’t have as many opportunities. And that was made very clear to me through that process."
This isn't the first time that Johansson has ignited controversy with a film role. Her previous collaboration with director Rupert Sanders, who will also direct Rub & Tug, was Ghost in the Shell. Controversially, Johansson was accused of whitewashing her character, which was based on a popular character from Japanese manga.
Amy Mackelden is a freelance writer, editor, and disability activist. Her bylines include Harper's BAZAAR, Nicki Swift, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, ELLE, The Independent, Bustle, Healthline, and HelloGiggles. She co-edited The Emma Press Anthology of Illness, and previously spent all of her money on Kylie Cosmetics.
