Scarlett Johansson withdraws from Rub & Tug film due to controversy

News24xx.com - Hollywood actress Scarlett Johansson decided to withdraw from the film project Rub & Tug. The film is made by director Rupert Sanders.

In Rub & Tug, Johansson was playing as Dante “Tex” Gill, a transgender man who owns a massage parlor in Pittsburgh. She was criticized for playing a transgender character.

“Considering the questions about ethics that appear regarding my role as Dante “Tex” Gill, I decide to respectfully withdraw my participation in this project,” Johansson said.

She realized that her first statement as a reaction to the critics she got due to her role was insensitive. According to Johansson, cultural understanding of transgender keeps increasing.

“Although I would like to have a chance to bring to life the story of Dante and her transition, I understand the reason why many people think that she has to be portrayed by a transgender. And I am thankful that this debate, although controversial, has incite a bigger conversation about diversity and representation in film,” she said.

In the end, Johansson said that she believed that all actors should be treated the same and justly.

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