Scarlett Johansson Released A Statement About Playing A Trans Man And It's Savage AF
Her new film role is very controversial and her comments aren't helping.
Scarlett Johansson is under fire this week for her new upcoming role in a movie called Rub & Tug. It was announced that Johansson was set to play a transgender man, which sparked a major controversy.
READ ALSO: Scarlett Johannson Is Getting Torn To Shreds Online For Her Role In The New Movie Rub And Tug
The issue here is that Johansson is a cis-gendered woman, meaning that she is comfortable with her gender and being heterosexual. Many people in the LGBTQ+ community were not happy with the movie castings decision, urging that Hollywood need to be more trans-inclusive.
Scarlet Johansson va a hacer de Dante Gill, hombre trans en los 70' siendo ella mujer cis. Siempre hegemonizando la historia Hollywood. pic.twitter.com/RzmLyjMZRd
— Feliciano Oliver (@transgedir) July 5, 2018
Now Johansson is speaking out about her role and honestly, her statement to Bustle was completely savage.
Scarlett Johansson released a problematic statement following backlash over being cast in a transgender role: “Tell them that they can be directed to Jeffrey Tambor, Jared Leto, and Felicity Huffman’s reps for comment.” https://t.co/pNdGFgOXIn pic.twitter.com/aFR5lDSxn3
— IndieWire (@IndieWire) July 4, 2018
It read, "Tell them that they can be directed to Jeffrey Tambor, Jared Leto, and Felicity Huffman's reps for comment." Jeffrey Tambor earned an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor for his role on Transparent in 2015 and 2016, while Leto won an Oscar for his portrayal of a trans woman in Dallas Buyers Club in 2014. Huffman was nominated for her role in Transamerica in 2005.
As cis-gendered actors, their portrayal of trans people is exactly what has sparked this outrage in the first place. Many people are even more pissed now that Johansson released the statement because they feel it is disrespectful for trans actors in Hollywood today.
Another thing to note about Scarlett Johansson’s insensitive statement was that she only pointed out award winning cis performances of trans narratives. Further showing that cis people know that trans stories have value and are worthy of accolade...
— Johnny Sibilly (@JohnnySibilly) July 4, 2018
The casting is garbage.
— Shane Avery (@ShaneAvery) July 5, 2018
Her statement is GARBAGE.
This makes me so angry. #ScarlettJohansson #RupertSanders https://t.co/KfYZKBg9r1
People are pissed that Scarlett Johansson is playing a trans man in a movie, and her statement just made everything much worse. pic.twitter.com/CDZBmoVZOg
— Funny Ecards (@iLolEcards) July 5, 2018
Next time Scarlett Johansson decides to use the "woke ally" persona to her own benefit please remember this hot piece of garbage of a statement, her refusal to acknowledge how wrong it is to whitewash a film and the fact that she is still friends with Woody Allen pic.twitter.com/qLWmeX3gCt
— ara morin (@arakubrick) July 4, 2018
Meanwhile, fans of the actress have been quick to defend her actions and statement. Others can see the flaw in what Johansson said but still love her work.
this scarjo stuff is hilarious. her statement is so right, shes an ACTOR. #ScarlettJohansson
— Papa cherushī (@chhlssismydad) July 4, 2018
Guys, I really don’t want to stop liking Scarlett Johansson because I really do enjoy her movies, but what the fuck was that statement all about??
— Maris (@siramaris) July 5, 2018
This isn't the first time ScarJo has come under fire for her role choices. In the past, she was criticized for taking on the role of an Asian woman in Ghost in the Shell.
Source: Bustle