Television isn’t much better - out of 239 regular and recurring LGBTQ characters across broadcast, cable, and streaming platforms for the 2017-2018 television season, only 17 (5%) are transgender.ĭespite a generally positive response to Johansson’s decision (which GLAAD praised in a tweet), the entire incident left a sour taste in many fans’ mouths, just as news broke about the director of Marvel’s standalone Black Widow film (which Johansson will star in). Trans representation in film is especially low: GLAAD’s 2017 Studio Responsibility Index noted zero trans-inclusive films from major studios in all of 2017 (a decrease from 2017, in which there was one film). Many are interpreting Johansson’s decision to leave the film as positive, showing a greater awareness of the need for authentic trans representation in Hollywood following the controversy. While I would have loved the opportunity to bring Dante’s story and transition to life, I understand why many feel he should be portrayed by a transgender person, and I am thankful that this casting debate, albeit controversial, has sparked a larger conversation about diversity and representation in film. I have great admiration and love for the trans community and am grateful that the conversation regarding inclusivity in Hollywood continues. Today, Johansson announced that she was stepping down from the role following the backlash and after coming to an understanding of why the She told Out Magazine: I wouldn’t be as upset if I was getting in the same rooms as Jennifer Lawrence and Scarlett for cis roles, but we know that’s not the case. Oh word? So you can continue to play us but we can’t play y’all? Hollywood is so fucked. Among those who spoke out was Trace Lysette, a trans woman and activist who plays Shea on Transparent and called out the double standard in which cisgender actors are consistently cast in trans roles and not vice versa:
In the eyes of many fans and actors, the response reinforced the fact that cisgender actors are consistently cast over trans actors for trans roles. The controversy intensified when Johansson defended her casting, telling Bustle: “Tell them that they can be directed to Jeffrey Tambor, Jared Leto, and Felicity Huffman’s reps for comment,” referencing Tambor’s role on Transparent, Leto in Dallas Buyer’s Club, and Huffman in Transamerica.īy offering up other examples of cisgender actors who have played trans individuals, Johansson attempted to normalize and justify her casting.
I can't wait until her Rosa Parks film comes out. Many simply questioned why a trans man couldn’t be cast to play Gill or highlighted the representational issues that occurred once again concerning both the actress and Sanders:įirst the Japanese, and now Scarlett Johansson is taking on the trans community with her new film Rub and Tug. The casting of cisgender (individuals who identify with the gender that they were assigned at birth) as trans individuals is not a new phenomenon, and neither is the backlash that follows - Matt Bomer, Jared Leto, Eddie Redmayne, and Elle Fanning have all been criticized by members of the trans community for filling roles that an actual trans actor or actress could have filled.Īdvocates and trans actors were quick to call out the casting, citing misrepresentation of trans individuals and the scant work for trans actors. Under the direction of Rupert Sanders (both previously faced backlash and calls of whitewashing after Johansson was cast in Sanders’ Ghost in the Shell adaption as Major Motoko Kusanagi, a Japanese woman), Rub & Tug was set to cast the actress as Dante “Tex” Gill, a Pittsburgh gangster and transgender man. This week, outcry convinced Scarlett Johansson to bow out of her latest movie, Rub & Tug, and from a macro-view, it sounds like the right decision. While the internet is often dinged for coming together and stirring trouble, there are times when the social-media rallying is used for good.