Highsnobiety

Scarlett Johansson is reuniting with Ghost in the Shell director Rupert Sanders to play a trans man in upcoming movie Rub & Tug.

The Ghost in the Shell remake was hit with accusations of whitewashing with Johansson cast as the film’s cyborg protagonist, who was named Motoko Kusanagi in the original Japanese anime and manga series. Now, Johansson’s casting as a character with a different gender identity in Rub & Tug has provoked fresh ire.

The actor will play Dante “Tex” Gill, a real-life figure who was a massage parlor owner in ’70s Pittsburgh before his death in 2003. His mafia-protected massage parlors were fronts for prostitution and he was convicted of tax evasion in 1984, spending seven years in prison. This latest controversy concerns Johansson’s casting as a trans man despite being a cisgender woman.

In response to those querying the casting decision, a representative for Johansson issued a statement to Bustle on the actor’s behalf: “Tell them that they can be directed to Jeffrey Tambor, Jared Leto, and Felicity Huffman's reps for comment.” All three of the actors named have played trans characters in the past, with Tambor starring in Transparent until he was relieved of his role after sexual harassment allegations, Leto playing trans woman Rayon in Dallas Buyers Club, and Felicity Huffman playing a trans woman in Transamerica.

Scroll through some of the reactions to the casting below, ranging from tongue-in-cheek jokes to suggestions of boycotting Johansson's work. Let us know your thoughts about the move in the comments below.

Next, check out the 10 reasons why you should follow Vince Staples on Twitter here.

We Recommend
  • new balance protection pack 2002r
    New Balance's Protection Pack Keeps on Giving
    • Style
  • Image on Highsnobiety
    Aminé's New Balance Shoe Is Bananas
    • Sneakers
  • Image on Highsnobiety
    1017 ALYX 9SM's New Nike AF1 Lows Are a "Work in Progress"
    • Sneakers
  • Image on Highsnobiety
    thisisneverthat's New Balance 550 Shoes Are Washed-Out & Wonderful
    • Sneakers
  • new balance 550
    15 of the Best New Balance 550 Colorways So Far
    • Sneakers
  • Image on Highsnobiety
What To Read Next
  • Jennifer Lawrence seen walking in New York with her son wearing a cream corduroy shirt, black slacks, a beanie & socks with sandals
    Fearless Jennifer Lawrence Makes Socks & Sandals Look So Easy
    • Style
  • a ma maniere jordan 5
    A Ma Maniére & Jumpman Are Back at It Again
    • Sneakers
  • avavav ss24
    AVAVAV SS24 Was #Stressful
    • Style
  • Image on Highsnobiety
    This ASICS GT-2160 Soars Above the Clouds
    • Sneakers
  • patta nike air max plus
    Patta, Nike, & FC Barcelona? Oh My!
    • Sneakers
  • nike v2k run
    Nike's Y2K Dad Shoe Is Kind of Having a Moment
    • Sneakers
*If you submitted your e-mail address and placed an order, we may use your e-mail address to inform you regularly about similar products without prior explicit consent. You can object to the use of your e-mail address for this purpose at any time without incurring any costs other than the transmission costs according to the basic tariffs. Each newsletter contains an unsubscribe link. Alternatively, you can object to receiving the newsletter at any time by sending an e-mail to info@highsnobiety.com

Web Accessibility Statement

Titelmedia (Highsnobiety), is committed to facilitating and improving the accessibility and usability of its Website, www.highsnobiety.com. Titelmedia strives to ensure that its Website services and content are accessible to persons with disabilities including users of screen reader technology. To accomplish this, Titelmedia has engaged UsableNet Inc, a leading web accessibility consultant to help test, remediate and maintain our Website in-line with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), which also bring the Website into conformance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

Disclaimer

Please be aware that our efforts to maintain accessibility and usability are ongoing. While we strive to make the Website as accessible as possible some issues can be encountered by different assistive technology as the range of assistive technology is wide and varied.

Contact Us

If, at any time, you have specific questions or concerns about the accessibility of any particular webpage on this Website, please contact us at accessibility@highsnobiety.com, +49 (0)30 235 908 500. If you do encounter an accessibility issue, please be sure to specify the web page and nature of the issue in your email and/or phone call, and we will make all reasonable efforts to make that page or the information contained therein accessible for you.