Imagine that: Scarlett Johansson thinks she may have mishandled the Rub & Tug backlash - The A.V. Club
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Remember when Scarlett Johansson was this close to starring in a film called Rub & Tug, where she would portrayed the story’s trans subject, Dante “Tex” Gill? It may have been a few ScarJo controversies ago, but the resulting backlash from that near-catastrophe was significant. Amid protests from LGBTQ+ advocacy groups and a general public that understands the multiple issues surrounding cisgender actors usurping transgender roles, Johansson ultimately removed herself from the project. But she didn’t bow out before making at least one snarky remark, where she responded to critics, “Tell them that they can be directed to Jeffrey Tambor, Jared Leto, and Felicity Huffman’s reps for comment.” Because nobody vocally expressed any dissent when it came to those award-winning actors, you see.
But that was more than a year ago, and while Johansson has stepped her foot in it numerous times since then, she’s beginning to feel that maybe—just maybe—being so dismissive of the issue in the beginning wasn’t the best call. In an interview with Vanity Fair’sChris Heath,the Marriage Story actress addressed her reaction to the backlash:
“In hindsight, I mishandled that situation. I was not sensitive, my initial reaction to it. I wasn’t totally aware of how the trans community felt about those three actors playing—and how they felt in general about cis actors playing—transgender people. I wasn’t aware of that conversation—I was uneducated. So I learned a lot through that process. I misjudged that…. It was a hard time. It was like a whirlwind. I felt terribly about it. To feel like you’re kind of tone-deaf to something is not a good feeling.”
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When Heath attempted to to make the connection between this instance and her vocal support of Woody Allen, that her willingness to speak to one irresponsible moment might cause people to bring up all the others, Johansson responded,“It feels like a snake eating its tail, doesn’t it?” Well, sure. It may also feel a lot like a call for consistent accountability from those with long enough memories, but we suppose that depends on your outlook. In any case, she deeply regrets the way she navigated that one specific instance. As for the whole Allen mess or standing by her choice to play the Japanese lead in Ghost In the Shell, it’s hard to say. Maybe she’ll find the time to reflect on both situations by next awards season.
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