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ScarJo Defends Her Right “to Play Any Person, or Any Tree, or Any Animal”

Scarlett Johansson faced backlash for taking the role of a trans man in the film "Rub & Tug."

Scarlett Johansson is clearly still feeling some type of way about the swift backlash to her controversial casting last summer as a transgender man, Dante “Tex” Gill, in the film Rub & Tug.

"Today there’s a lot of emphasis and conversation about what acting is and who we want to see represent ourselves on screen," Johansson says in a new cover story for As If magazine. "You know, as an actor I should be able to play any person, or any tree, or any animal, because that's my job and the requirements of my job."

"There are a lot of social lines being drawn now, and a lot of political correctness is being reflected in art," the Avengers: Endgame star adds. "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."

Johansson, Hollywood’s highest-paid actress, also came under fire for whitewashing the Japanese lead character in the 2017 film Ghost in the Shell.

She ultimately "decided to respectfully withdraw" from the Rub & Tug role amid much criticism from LGBTQ actors and activists, including Sense8's Jamie Clayton and Transparent's Trace Lysette, who called her out on taking an opportunity away from a trans actor.

“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,” Johansson said in a statement. “I believe that all artists should be considered equally and fairly.”

Johansson had initially addressed the casting controversy with a callous statement referencing other cis actors who took trans roles: “Tell them that they can be directed to Jeffrey Tambor, Jared Leto, and Felicity Huffman’s reps for comment.”

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