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Scarlett Johansson quits transgender role after LGBT backlash

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Updated on July 6, 2023

See more articles on:Jared Leto, Jennifer Lawrence, Scarlett Johansson

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Following a barrage of negative press over the past week, Scarlett Johansson confirmed on Friday that she will not be starring Rub & Tug.

Dante “Tex” Gill, a criminal lord who was born Lois Jean Gill but identified as a male, was to be played by the actor. He used his massage parlors used as a cover for prostitution.

In an exclusive statement to Out.com, Johansson stated that she changed her decision “in light of recent ethical questions raised surrounding my casting.”

“Our cultural understanding of transgender people continues to advance, and I’ve learned a lot from the community since making my first statement about my casting and realize it was insensitive. I have great admiration and love for the trans community and am grateful that the conversation regarding inclusivity in Hollywood continues.”

She expressed regret for declining the leading part, but noted that it had sparked a larger discussion regarding transgender actresses in Hollywood. “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,” and that she believes “all artists should be considered equally and fairly. My production company, These Pictures, actively pursues projects that both entertain and push boundaries. We look forward to working with every community to bring these most poignant and important stories to audiences worldwide.”

In recent years, straight actor Eddie Redmayne depicted a transgender woman in the film “The Danish Girl,” Jared Leto won an Oscar for his portrayal of a trans woman in “Dallas Buyers Club,” and Jeffrey Tambor has won awards for his portrayal of a father who transitions to a man in the television series “Transparent.”

Following the initial backlash, Johansson defended the casting, pointing out that other prominent cisgender persons have previously received major awards for their work.

“Tell them that they can be directed to Jeffrey Tambor, Jared Leto and Felicity Huffman’s reps for comment,” it read.

GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis reacted on Twitter, calling it “game changers for the future of transgender images in Hollywood” along with the collective social media uproar.

“Hollywood changed how Americans understand gay and lesbian lives, and TV is starting to do the same for transgender people with authentic transgender portrayals being major hits with critics and audiences. The film industry has a real opportunity to do the same,” she wrote in a follow-up tweet.

It’s not the first time the actor has been chastised for accepting a part.

After being cast in the Hollywood version of the Japanese anime Ghost in the Shell, in which she played a character that was originally intended as Asian, she was accused of “whitewashing”

“Rub & Tug” has yet to begin filming, and no replacement for Johansson has been revealed.