Johansson was set to star in the upcoming crime biopic Rug & Tug directed by Rupert Sanders. She was cast as Louis Jean Gill, a real-life trans-man who operated a massage parlor and prostitution business in 1970s Pittsburgh.

Following the casting news, Johansson and the film faced backlash for casting a non-trans actress in a trans role. Her initial statement following accusations sparked even more controversy that she was being insensitive to the issue at hand.

Following the debate, Johansson has since decided to withdraw from the movie. She made the following statement explaining her decision:

“In light of recent ethical questions raised surrounding my casting as Dante Tex Gill, I have decided to respectfully withdraw my participation in the project.

“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 realize it was insensitive. I have great admiration and love for the trans community and am grateful that the conversation regarding inclusivity in Hollywood continues.”

She added: “According to GLAAD, 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 post Scarlett Johansson Pulls Out of “Rub & Tug” appeared first on Entertainment For Us.

The movie is being directed by Rupert Sands, who previously directed Ghost In The Shell, which Johansson also starred in.

Her character is called Dante “Tex” Gill, who is based on a real-life owner of a massage parlor/prostitution business in Pittsburgh back in the 70s/80s. Gill’s birth name was Louis Jean Gill, but they later changed it and instead identified as a man.

The illegal business had ties with the mafia and Gill was sentenced to prison for seven years for tax invasion – ergo you can expect a lot of crime.

Johanson is currently filming for Taika Waititi’s WWII satire Jojo Rabbit. She is also scheduled for filming for the second part of Avengers: Infinity War and a Black Widow movie is potentially in the works.

Filming for Rub & Tug is scheduled to begin in February at the start of next year. A release date has not yet been confirmed.

The post Scarlett Johansson Set to Play a Trans Man in Upcoming Crime Biopic appeared first on Entertainment For Us.

Johansson was set to star in the upcoming crime biopic Rug & Tug directed by Rupert Sanders. She was cast as Louis Jean Gill, a real-life trans-man who operated a massage parlor and prostitution business in 1970s Pittsburgh.

Following the casting news, Johansson and the film faced backlash for casting a non-trans actress in a trans role. Her initial statement following accusations sparked even more controversy that she was being insensitive to the issue at hand.

Following the debate, Johansson has since decided to withdraw from the movie. She made the following statement explaining her decision:

“In light of recent ethical questions raised surrounding my casting as Dante Tex Gill, I have decided to respectfully withdraw my participation in the project.

“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 realize it was insensitive. I have great admiration and love for the trans community and am grateful that the conversation regarding inclusivity in Hollywood continues.”

She added: “According to GLAAD, 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 post Scarlett Johansson Pulls Out of “Rub & Tug” appeared first on Entertainment For Us.

The movie is being directed by Rupert Sands, who previously directed Ghost In The Shell, which Johansson also starred in.

Her character is called Dante “Tex” Gill, who is based on a real-life owner of a massage parlor/prostitution business in Pittsburgh back in the 70s/80s. Gill’s birth name was Louis Jean Gill, but they later changed it and instead identified as a man.

The illegal business had ties with the mafia and Gill was sentenced to prison for seven years for tax invasion – ergo you can expect a lot of crime.

Johanson is currently filming for Taika Waititi’s WWII satire Jojo Rabbit. She is also scheduled for filming for the second part of Avengers: Infinity War and a Black Widow movie is potentially in the works.

Filming for Rub & Tug is scheduled to begin in February at the start of next year. A release date has not yet been confirmed.

The post Scarlett Johansson Set to Play a Trans Man in Upcoming Crime Biopic appeared first on Entertainment For Us.