Scarlett Johansson has reignited debate around her belief that actors should be allowed to play any role, regardless of their gender identity, sexuality or ethnicity.
Having previously played a whitewashed character once known as Motoko Kusanagi in 2017 film Ghost in the Shell, the star was last year forced to withdraw from her role as transmasculine historical figure Dante “Tex” Gill in the forthcoming Rub and Tug, after members of the trans community took to social media in frustration over the insensitive casting choice.
Now, seemingly unhappy to let the whole thing blow over, Johansson has given an interview to As If magazine, saying: “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.”
This time, the internet has chosen to laugh, rather than cry.
And the results are rightfully hilarious.
