Just a few years removed from playing a Japanese character in Ghost in the Shell, actress Scarlett Johansson told As If magazine she should be able to play any role she wants.
“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 said. “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.”
That comment set off a Twitter storm from many.
Johansson’s comments were particularly hurtful to the LGTBQ community. Just one year ago, she withdrew from the role of playing a transgender character when fans criticized her for denying an opportunity to a trans actress.
The actress, through her spokesperson, says her latest comments have been taken out of context.
In a statement to EW, she said:
“The question I was answering in my conversation with the contemporary artist, David Salle, was about the confrontation between political correctness and art,” she continues. “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 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. I continue to support, and always have, diversity in every industry and will continue to fight for projects where everyone is included.”
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