Scarlett Johansson Revises Her Comments On “Politically Correct Casting”: “In An Ideal World, Any Actor Should Be Able To Play Anybody”

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.