News

Scarlett Johansson’s Casting In ‘Rub & Tug’ Sparks Controversy

Scarlett Johansson may best be known as Black Widow in Marvel Studios’ ongoing cinematic universe, but she also portrayed another heroic figure in Rupert Sanders’ 2017 Ghost in the Shell live-action adaptation. It was a role she accrued criticism for, with fans of the original work contesting that casting Johansson was “whitewashing” it. Johansson’s newest acting gig was announced this week, again causing controversy.

SCARLETT JOHANSSON CAST AS TRANSGENDER CHARACTER

Johansson and Sanders are teaming up again for Rub & Tug, a story about a transgender man named Dante “Tex” Gill. Johansson is set to play the lead role, a man who spent the 70s and 80s running massage parlors in Pittsburgh that were fronts for secret brothels.

50 Celebrities Who Have Died In 2018 – Tribute Slideshow

As Johansson is cisgender (meaning she identifies as the sex she was born as), she’s receiving criticism from people who believe a transgender actor should portray the role. Trace Lysette, a transgender actress best known as Shea on Amazon’s Transparent, expressed disappointment in the news and in Hollywood’s treatment of transgender actors and actresses. She tweeted out the situation is a “mess,” noting how transgender talent cannot play cisgender characters while cisgender people can portray transgender characters.


One of Johnsson’s representatives responded to the backlash to Bustle, saying, “Tell them that they can be directed to Jeffrey Tambor, Jared Leto, and Felicity Huffman‘s reps for comment.” This rebuttal, which itself has generated controversy for appearing dismissive, makes note of three cisgender actors who have portrayed transgender characters in films before to critical acclaim.

Matt Reisine

A writer for uInterview who harbors an unwavering passion for film and video games.

Recent Posts

Nepo Baby Riley Keough, Elvis Presley’s Granddaughter, Admits Her ‘Privilege’ Has Made Her Career Easier

Nepo baby Riley Keough, the late singer Elvis Presley's granddaughter, has admitted that her familial ties…

2 hours ago

VIDEO: Houston Zoo’s New Pygmy Hippo, Akobi, Throws ‘Shade’ At Viral Competitor Moo Deng

https://youtu.be/n6Jti30xV6A The Houston Zoo, which recently welcomed a four-and-a-half-year-old male pygmy hippopotamus to its exhibits, jokingly threw…

2 hours ago

Fans Troll Bill Belichick, 72, For Couples Halloween Costume With Girlfriend Jordan Hudson, 24

Many internet users saw the pictures as an opportunity to troll Belichick for his interest…

4 hours ago

Orlando Bloom Subpoenaed In Wife Katy Perry’s Legal Battle Against Bedridden Veteran Over $15 Million Home

Westcott, a veteran, is currently bedridden, dying of Huntington’s disease. His family asserts that the…

4 hours ago

Jerry Seinfeld Blasts His Kids’ $65,000 School For ‘Woke’ Agenda

In contrast to Seinfeld’s feelings, many of the other parents at the school have praised…

5 hours ago

Rapper Young Thug Released From Jail With Plea Deal Ending Georgia’s Longest-Running Criminal Trial

He was sentenced on Thursday to time served and 15 years on probation. He was…

19 hours ago