Scarlett Johansson Sets Off Alarm Bells For Claiming She Can Nail Any Role
Image via Andrea Raffin / Shutterstock.com Hollywood actors have sparked controversy by playing characters of other races, genders and sexual orientations, especially in recent years. Scarlett Johansson in particular has faced backlash for recent comment that she should be allowed to play “any person, or any tree, or any animal” with the As If magazine.
In 2015, Johansson came under heat for portraying a Japanese character in Ghost in the Shell. Last year, she was in the center of contention again for accepting a role as a transgender man, but later pulled out of the movie.
In a recent statement, the actress expressed feeling like there was a “trend” being formed in Hollywood that restricted the casting of roles due to political correctness, but as an actress she should be allowed to play any identity, as that is her job. She also believed “art should be free of restrictions.”
She has since received strong criticism on social media, including one from screenwriter Stephanie Mickus.
Mickus told her, “Yes, ScarJo, you should be able to play a tree. Because there aren’t countless sentient trees desiring to act yet struggling to get cast in roles,” while LGBTQ actors have spoken up about representing those characters.
Johansson clarified her statements with CNN saying that in an “ideal world” there should be freedom to play anybody and that “art… should be immune to political correctness.”
However, she noted that, in reality, not every actor has been given “the same opportunities” she has had the privilege to receive, and therefore will continue to “fight for projects where everyone is included.”
lmao scarlett johansson was asked about giving up that trans role and then immediately jumped to comparing playing different gender identities/ethnicities to... animals and trees? ok hun pic.twitter.com/UjtmvGruEt
— Nina Mohan 🇱🇰 (@NinaLMohan) July 13, 2019
scarlett johansson’s next roles talking to each other pic.twitter.com/dLlTpku6Ca
— sutton 𐋀 (@nasaromanovas) July 13, 2019
*character who's a minority*
— gabe (@zakiyamahara) July 13, 2019
scarlett johansson: pic.twitter.com/he4DWUSWdc
Am repinning this to my profile because ScarJo has learned nothing. Am definitely NOT watching ‘Black Widow’ or any future project of hers. https://t.co/bKLi9fsiuX
— Nancy Wang Yuen (@nancywyuen) July 13, 2019
Scarlett Johansson getting ready to infiltrate the aliens in Area 51 pic.twitter.com/rnFaPHTRCk
— omar 🌟 (@jiminsmr) July 13, 2019
[via CNN, cover image via Andrea Raffin / Shutterstock.com]
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