Scarlett Johansson Says That She Should be Allowed to Portray Any Person She Wants

Actress Scarlett Johansson recently made a statement on personal freedom when it comes to taking up any role in Hollywood. During an interview with ‘As If’ magazine, 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.” Her comments have sparked a debate on the basis an actor can take up a role. The comments also led to criticism from certain followers.  

Here’s what one follower said: 

The actress, however, claims that her statement was taken out of context and edited for “clickbait” reasons. This is what she actually said, “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.”

The reason for Scarlett making this statement arises as the actress had to let go of a role of playing a transmasculine character in ‘Rub & Tug’, a plot that was based on a true controversial story. She received criticism because many thought that the role of Dante “Tex” Gill in the film should be portrayed by a transgender only and not by a cisgender. After Scarlett became the target of criticism, she withdrew her role without getting deeper into controversy.

Prior to this, Scarlett was criticized when she played the lead in ‘Ghost in the shell’ which was a sci-fi film based on the Japanese Manga. The Media Action Network for Asian Americans (MANAA) criticized the casting team for choosing Scarlett as the lead for a Japanese character. They made a statement laced with cynicism saying, “Apparently, in Hollywood, Japanese people can’t play Japanese people anymore.”

It is clearly evident that Scarlett is not quite happy at the manner her choices to take up varied roles is being restricted due to “political correctness.” I personally agree with Scarlett’s views to a large degree. There should be diversity and inclusivity in fields like the film industry however one cannot take away a person’s “personal freedom” to take up a role due to social reasons. If the actor is suitable and has the potential to do a specific role, he or she should have the freedom to take it up, irrespective of his or her sexual orientation or race. Talent should be the prime determining factor in such cases.