Scarlett Johansson has openly addressed the backlash she faced for her initial decision to portray a transgender character in the film Rub & Tug, acknowledging her mishandling of the situation.
During an interview with Vanity Fair for its December Issue cover story, the 35-year-old actress admitted, “I mishandled that situation,” referring to her since-abandoned role in the movie.
Johansson was slated to play Dante ‘Tex’ Gill, a transgender gangster, in the film directed by Rupert Sanders. However, her casting sparked outrage, mainly due to her response to criticism, which further fueled the controversy.
Initially, Johansson’s representatives responded to critics by stating, “Tell [my critics] that they can be directed to Jeffrey Tambor, Jared Leto, and Felicity Huffman’s reps for comment.” However, sustained backlash led Johansson to withdraw from the project a week later.
Reflecting on the situation, Johansson expressed regret for her initial insensitivity, stating, “I was not sensitive, my initial reaction to it,” and admitting she was unaware of the broader conversation within the transgender community regarding cisgender actors playing transgender roles.
She acknowledged the criticism actors like Tambor, Leto, and Huffman faced for their respective portrayals in the media.
Johansson emphasized her learning process through the controversy, stating, “I wasn’t aware of that conversation—I was uneducated. So I learned a lot through that process.”
In the same interview, Johansson also addressed her support of director Woody Allen amidst allegations of sexual assault against him.
While she described Allen as a friend, she maintained she had no additional insight into the allegations beyond their relationship.
Johansson, who has been married twice previously, is currently engaged to Saturday Night Live star Colin Jost and shares a daughter with her former husband, French businessman Romain Dauriac.
Read more Entertainment News.