Scarlett Johansson: She renounces protests on transgender role
Scarlett Johansson (33, "Lucy") renounces her role in the film "Rub and Tug". She should play a transgender man in it. From the transgender community, however, there was much criticism for their occupation.
The film project is about the story of the underworld greats Dante "Tex" Gill, whom Johansson was supposed to play. He was born Lois Jean Gill and identified himself as a man. Gill ran massage parlors in the 1970s and 1980s, which he used as a façade for his prostitution business.
"Respectful retreat"
"Given the recent moral issues surrounding my appointment as Dante Tex Gill, I have decided to respectfully withdraw my participation in the project," Johansson said in a statement for the "Out" magazine. She has learned a lot from the transgender community since she made a first statement about her casting and realized that this statement was insensitive.
After initial negative reactions to their occupation, the actress had referred to Jeffrey Tambor (74), Jared Leto (46) and Felicity Huffman (55), who also played transgender roles. Now, Johansson explained that although she liked to play Dante, she understands why many people think a transgender person should take the part.
