Johansson’s transsexual role comes under fire from stars
LOS ANGELES: Scarlett Johansson is under fire for her next project starring as a transsexual crime boss.
Linking up with “Ghost in the Shell” director Rupert Sanders, Johansson is set to star in the crime biopic “Rub & Tug,” based on the real life story of Dante “Tex” Gill.
Gill was a transsexual crime boss of the 1970s who ran several illegal massage parlours. In real life, Gill lived his life as a trans man, which led many showbiz people to ask why a trans actor wasn’t considered for the role.
Trace Lysette, best known for her work on “Transparent,” took to Twitter to voice her anger. “I wouldn’t be as upset if I was getting in the same rooms as Jennifer Lawrence and Scarlett for cis roles,” she wrote. “But we know that’s not the case. A mess.”
Actress Jamie Clayton from “Sense8” and “The Neon Demon” also wrote about her disappointment, stating, “Actors who are trans never even get to audition FOR ANYTHING OTHER THAN ROLES OF TRANS CHARACTERS.”
She then challenged casting directors to hire more trans actors in non trans roles with a dare.
When Johansson’s representative was asked for a statement about the vocal concerns, this response came: “Tell them that they can be directed to Jeffrey Tambor, Jared Leto, and Felicity Huffman’s reps for comment.”
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. A mess. Trace Lysette, actress