Scarlett Johansson is playing a transgender man in the new movie “Rub & Tug.” She will play Dante “Tex” Gill, who was born Jean Marie Gill, but identifies as a man.
And, of course, someone had to be pissed off - so trans activists took that responsibility on themselves and are saying that this is stealing their narrative -- whatever that means.
People on Twitter literally lost their minds over the fact that she accepted this transgender role.
Scarlett Johansson is playing a trans man in her next movie because her ultimate career goal is to take an acting job from a member of each and every marginalized group.
— Faith Choyce (@faithchoyce) July 3, 2018
What’s next? Is Scarlett Johansson going to play Barack Obama?
— Eugene Gu, MD (@eugenegu) July 4, 2018
Scarlett Johansson had to know there would be justified pushback on her playing a trans man in a new movie. But WOW at this "update."
— Kevin Allred (@KevinAllred) July 3, 2018
Is she insinuating her right to a play a trans man is a White Feminist™ issue bc cis white actors have played trans women? I'm disgusted. pic.twitter.com/V0a43UAJu5
The media even came after Johansson, providing lists of trans actors that should've gotten the role instead of her.
Johansson’s PR team has released a statement to Bustle that reads, "Tell them that they can be directed to Jeffrey Tambor, Jared Leto, and Felicity Huffman's reps for comment."
All of those cisgendered actors have played transgenders in a variety of films and television shows including Transparent series, Dallas Buyers Club, and Transamerica. They were all recognized either by being nominated for an Emmy or an Oscar.
Despite all of the negative pushback, several people have come out behind Johansson in support of her and her career move.
(Warning: Explicit Language)
Never thought I'd give a crap but stop getting on Scarlett Johansson. She's an actress. The whole point is to portray people you are not. What's next, based-on-a-true-story movie characters have to be played by the actual person? Calm down, it's a friggin movie.
— Will Presti (@WillPresti) July 3, 2018
Also quit bullying Scarlett Johansson for being a FUCKING ACTRESS Jesus christ. So it’s ok to act gay? But not trans? If your trans you get to pretend you are the opposite sex but an actress can’t pretend to be Trans???? Much love to the trans community. No love to the ignorant.
— LEBRONZE JAMES (@JohnnyStevens) July 4, 2018
I'm just gonna put this out there, Scarlett Johansson is playing a woman who identified as a man, that means it was a woman who felt and carried herself as if she was a man, a "portrayal" might not be the best word, but why can't scarlett portray a woman who portrays a man?
— Bustero (@Buh_Stair_Oh) July 4, 2018
This isn’t Johansson’s first run in with controversial casting. Johansson was cast in the movie Ghost in the Shell which was based off of Japanese manga and anime and would be traditionally played by an Asian.