Scarlett Johansson is once again teaming up with director Rupert Sanders for her new film Rub & Tug. But, even before having a finalized script, the feature film is already controversial…
In early July, the website Deadline revealed that Rupert Sanders (Ghost in the Shell) would direct Scarlett Johansson in an upcoming film. The film would be in the tradition of David Russell's American Bluff and the American actress will play Jean Marie Gill, crime lord in the 70s in Pittsburgh.
A crazy storyline, based on a true story
Rub & Tug will be largely based on the life of Jean Marie Gill. Dead at the age of 72, this American woman has forged an entire empire in the world of prostitution via, among other things, massage parlors. She is also known for having been involved in "Steroidgate", the doping scandal of American football players in Pittsburgh. But above all, Gill is famous for posing as a man, Dante "Tex" Gill, in order to break into the world of crime.
The controversy
15 years ago, choosing Scarlett Johansson to play Gill would not have been a problem. But now gender identity issues are more highlighted and taken into consideration. However, Gill was a transgender person and some are outraged that a transgender person was not chosen for this role. This is what the actress Trace Lysette, herself transgender and victim of this discrimination, denounces: "So you can continue to play our roles but we can not play yours?"
Others have joined these criticisms like actress Jamie Clayton (Sense 8, The Neon Demon) who regrets that transgender actors only land transgender roles. She calls on directors to offer them more diverse roles.
Contacted by the Bustle website, Scarlett Johansson reportedly dodged the attack by hiding behind the fact that she was not the first to do so:
"If they want feedback, tell them to contact representatives for Jeffrey Tambor, Jared Leto and Felicity Huffman."
These three actors have also portrayed transgender people.
The controversies around the characters embodied by Johansson would almost become a habit. In 2017, it was his role in Ghost in the Shell that earned him the wrath of diversity advocates. Her character was originally Japanese and the production was criticized for not choosing a Japanese actress. Worse, he was even accused of wanting to "Japanize" Scarlett Johansson.
