Scarlett Johansson Responds To Backlash After Speaking Out Against Casting Controversy

Scarlett Johansson has responded to the backlash online after the actress’ recent comments regarding “political correctness” sparked controversy.

During a recent interview with AS IF Magazine, Scarlett Johansson opened up about almost taking on a transgender role in Rub & Tug. Scarlett Johansson dropped out of the project last summer after she was criticized for taking on a transmasculine role. Scarlett Johansson is a cisgender woman herself but has taken the opportunity to defend her right to take on any role. After stating that she doesn’t like the “political correctness” put on her when choosing a role, she explained:

“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. 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. I think society would be more connected if we just allowed others to have their own feelings and not expect everyone to feel the way we do.”

Scarlett Johansson’s comments were met with backlash online, which criticized the actress not just for initially accepting a transgender role in Rub & Tug, but also for 2017’s Ghost in the Shell, which also stirred up controversy at the time.

ScarJo is the highest paid female actor in 2018, banking $40.5 mil. But she feels entitled to take roles away from Asian, Trans & other underrepresented actors? https://t.co/vB0g2SlatA

— Nancy Wang Yuen (@nancywyuen) July 13, 2019

lmao scarlett johansson was asked about giving up that trans role and then immediately jumped to comparing playing different gender identities/ethnicities to… animals and trees? ok hun pic.twitter.com/UjtmvGruEt

— Nina Mohan ?? (@NinaLMohan) July 13, 2019

I will not be seeing any films that involve Scarlett Johansson moving forward. I do not want to give my money to someone who trivializes the oppression of trans people and diminishes the importance of our visibility.

— Charlotte Clymer?️‍? (@cmclymer) July 13, 2019

How Scarlett Johansson sees herself pic.twitter.com/gXaN5g1Hu0

— ʀᴀᴄʜᴇʟ (@emmagildas) July 13, 2019

OMG guys I met scarlett johansson !!! pic.twitter.com/nFzJRRJgJp

— mina (@captainwilscn) July 13, 2019

congrats to scarlett johansson on being cast in the little mermaid!!! pic.twitter.com/0dzzlhNFjx

— molly katherine (@mkgartnerr) July 14, 2019

Following the outcry, Scarlett Johansson responded to the controversy and issued an official statement, telling ET Canada:

“An interview that was recently published has been edited for click bait and is widely taken out of context. The question I was answering in my conversation with the contemporary artist, David Salle, was about the confrontation between political correctness and art. 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.

I recognize that in reality, there is a widespread discrepancy amongst my industry that favours Caucasian, cis gendered actors and that not every actor has been given the same opportunities that I have been privileged to. I continue to support, and always have, diversity in every industry and will continue to fight for projects where everyone is included.”

So what do you think about Scarlett Johansson’s comments? Let us know in the comments below!

Scarlett Johansson can currently be seen as Black Widow in Avengers: Endgame. Here is the plot synopsis for Avengers: Endgame:

A culmination of 22 interconnected films the fourth installment of the Avengers saga will draw audiences to witness the turning point of this epic journey. Our beloved heroes will truly understand how fragile this reality is and the sacrifices that must be made to uphold it.

Directed by Joe and Anthony Russo, Avengers: Endgame is expected to star Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Benedict Cumberbatch, Don Cheadle, Tom Holland, Chadwick Boseman, Paul Bettany, Elizabeth Olsen, Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan, Danai Gurira, Letitia Wright, Dave Bautista, Zoe Saldana, Paul Rudd, Jeremy Renner, Brie Larson, Josh Brolin and Chris Pratt.

Avengers: Endgame is now playing.

Source: AS IF Magazine, ET Canada