Scarlett Johansson is clarifying her statements after previously saying she should be able to play characters of any race, gender, and sexual orientation.
Scarlett’s comments stem from an interview with #AsIfMagazine, in which the 34-year-old implied that she should have the freedom to play any role regardless of race, sexual orientation or gender, saying political correctness should not determine who gets specific roles. “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,” Johansson told the magazine.
“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,” she continued. Johansson’s words spread throughout the internet and garnered widespread criticism towards the actress. “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. But there ARE ton of LGBTQIA l/non binary actors who have vocalized that they would love to represent those characters,” screenwriter Stephanie Mickus said in a tweet.
But during an interview with CNN on Sunday, Johansson said her statements were misinterpreted. “I personally feel that, in an ideal world, any actor should be able to play anybody and Art, in all forms, should be immune to political correctness. That is the point I was making, albeit didn’t come across that way,” she said. “I recognize that in reality, there is a wide spread discrepancy amongst my industry that favors Caucasian, cis gendered actors and that not every actor has been given the same opportunities that I have been privileged to,” she added. “I continue to support, and always have, diversity in every industry and will continue to fight for projects where everyone is included.”
Johansson has been the subject of scrutiny in the past for her decision to take on roles that represent other cultures and communities. In 2015, the actress white-washed the role of an Asian woman in the film “Ghost in the Shell.” She also accepted and then stepped down from a role in which she would have played a transgender woman, following backlash.
How many letters can they add to LGBTQIA I/non-binary ???????????? What the hell is the A for? Androgynous? How many roles for bi-sexual or androgynous are they competing for? What is the I in front of non-binary and why should anybody care? That’s what ACTING MEANS. HOW HARD IS IT for an androgynous to play androgynous. Not to mention then fact that non of this means they’re any good and should be hired for any reason!
Are they saying that heterosexuals shouldn’t be hired to play bi-sexual? Screw off! If I’d known scarlett johansson was getting so much garbage over the truth as she sees it, I would have spent the last 24 hours on twitter telling people to GTFO! If that’s the case then only heterosexuals should get the straight roles! Do you know how many gay actors there are who have done quite well in hollywood, on TV, on broadway?? What about them? Why do they get all the good straight roles? HYPOCRISY !!!! Double standards! Nobody gives a damn who you have sex with or whether you’ve surgically mutilated yourself into another ‘gender’ – acting should be up to the casting director and the producers – the people who PAY FOR IT, without harassment and persecution by overly self-involved hypocrites!