Doubling down on the Rub & Tug casting controversy from last year, Scarlett Johansson thinks she should be “allowed to play any person.”
Johansson was criticized last year after it emerged she was set to star as a transgender character in the film Rub & Tug.
She stepped down from the role after receiving widespread backlash for the casting decision.
Detractors argued the role should have gone to a transgender performer in a bid to increase diversity in Hollywood.
Johansson later quit the role. However, the 34-year-old star of Avengers: Endgame has now insisted “art should be free of restrictions.”
In an interview with As If magazine, she said: “You know, as an actor I should be allowed to play any person, or any tree, or any animal because that is my job and the requirements of my job.”
“I feel like it’s a trend in my business and it needs to happen for various social reasons, yet there are times it does get uncomfortable when it affects the art because I feel art should be free of restrictions.”
“I think society would be more connected if we just allowed others to have their own feelings and not expect everyone to feel the way we do.”
Johansson was immediately criticized on social media for the comments.
Here is a sampling:
Read the full interview at As If.
