Earlier this month Scarlett Johansson was set to play the infamous Dante ‘Tex’ Gill, a prominent figure in Pittsburgh’s underbelly, in the film entitled ‘Rub and Tug.’
The film’s storyline according to IMDb is as follows:
“Based on the true story of Tex Gill, a larger than life character who, while transitioning from female to male, took on the mob and became the crime kingpin of 1970s Pittsburgh through his empire of illicit massage parlours and anabolic steroids ring that helped fuel the Pittsburgh Steelers NFL dynasty, but it is Tex’s fiery romance with his girlfriend Cynthia that forms the emotional core of the story.”
Controversy sparked when Johansson, a ‘cisgender’ female (someone who is born as a female and who identifies as female), landed the role instead of a member of the transgender community. Many expressed feelings of frustration at the hypocrisy of the industry and casting process. Transgender individuals are often only cast in transgender roles rather than cisgender roles whereas by casting Johansson, cisgender actors are unfairly monopolising both transgender and non-transgender roles.
Actors who are trans never even get to audition FOR ANYTHING OTHER THAN ROLES OF TRANS CHARACTERS. THATS THE REAL ISSUE. WE CANT EVEN GET IN THE ROOM. Cast actors WHO ARE TRANS as NON TRANS CHARACTERS. I DARE YOU #RupertSanders @NewRegency #ScarlettJohansson https://t.co/RkrW8MeGcG
— Jamie Clayton (@MsJamieClayton) July 4, 2018
In response to the backlash, Johansson choose to step down from the role, revealing her thoughts in a statement to Out Magazine:
“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 realise it was insensitive. I have great admiration and love for the trans community and am grateful that the conversation regarding inclusivity in Hollywood continues. According to GLAAD [Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation], LGBTQ+ characters dropped 40% in 2017 from the previous year, with no representation of trans characters in any major studio release. 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.”
The movie will be directed by Rupert Sanders, who previously directed ‘Ghost In The Shell’ in which Johansson was also the lead actress. The movie did poorly and was accompanied by fury over the whitewashed cast.
A new actor has not yet been announced to play Dante ‘Tex’ Gill.
Stay tuned for more Aussie Gossip!
