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Throughout the decades, Hollywood has long been plagued by issues of representation, gender bias, and unequal treatment of its stars. Two actors who perfectly illustrate this stark contrast are the unconfirmed ex-lovers, Jared Leto and Scarlett Johansson. Although both stars have proved to be immensely talented, their experiences in the film industry and its media spotlight could not have been more different.
After all, a rather controversial role inDallas Buyers Clubwon the 52-year-old an Oscar. While the 39-year-old, who did the same thing, was often reduced to memes that ultimately pressured her to step down from a film.
The difference between the treatment of Leto and Johansson revealed an unsettling truth about Hollywood. However, that did not stop the actress from voicing her issues with it.
How a controversial interview turned Scarlett Johansson into a meme
Scarlett Johansson has faced controversy for several of her film roles, particularly for accusations of whitewashing and cultural appropriation. One of the most notable controversies arose with her casting in the 2017Ghost in the Shellfilm, where she played Major Motoko Kusanagi, a character originally Japanese in the anime source material.
However, just a year later, the actress had a chance to portray a trans-man in a film called,Rub & Tug. When the news of the film and its plans broke, social media went into a frenzy about the star playing a member of the LGBTQ+ community. In an interview withAs If, the star responded to the fans’ comments.
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.
Johansson’s statement was meant to soothe fans’ opinions about why she chose certain roles. However, it wound up causing a lot more problems online. In fact, many fans even took toXto share random photos from films stating they loved seeing the actress in hilarious roles. Although the Marvel actress’ plans for the film wound up falling through, her ex-boyfriend, Jared Leto, was praised for the exact same thing.
“Sorry Coke and Pepsi”: Marvel Star Scarlett Johansson’s 4-Word Message Was Enough to Get Her Ad Banned
While the singer/actor had also portrayed an LGBTQ+ role in the 2013 film,Dallas Buyers Club, Leto ended up being globally recognized for his part.
The difference between Jared Leto and Scarlett Johansson’s roles
In 2013, when Jared Leto played the part of Rayon inDallas Buyers Club, the world was a different place and casting choices did not matter as much. However, when Scarlett Johansson’s plans forRug & Tugwere brought into motion, viewers had evolved and wanted a more diverse set of cast members. The preference was for trans people to take up trans roles and open more doors in the community.
However, that has not always been the case. Although the 52-year-old’s role earned him an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, not everyone appreciated his acting. In fact, a report fromTimerevealed why the actor’s move was a bad choice.
While Johansson’s potential role seemed to stir up a ton of backlash, Leto’s transformation, both physically and emotionally, was praised. The outrage over Johansson’s casting came swiftly from both LGBTQ+ advocates and the public, who argued that casting a cisgender woman in the role was inappropriate and perpetuated a harmful Hollywood trend.
“I realized that I better suck it up”: Scarlett Johansson Had a Hard Time Filming for Woody Allen on the First Day at Set and Surprisingly it Wasn’t Any of the Crazy Intimate Scenes
Unlike Leto, Johansson initially defended her casting by pointing to other cis actors who had portrayed trans characters, but after facing increasing criticism, she withdrew from the project.
Stream Jared Leto’sDallas Buyers Clubon Amazon Prime Video.
Prathika Prashant
Articles Published :192
With over three years of experience in the field of writing, and a knack for storytelling, she dives into the pop culture world to provide fans with insightful updates and engaging narratives worldwide. Her articles add a dash of insightful commentary and a captivating narrative to ensure that readers get the whole story. When she is not working, you may find her browsing new music or going down a rabbit hole of old timey sitcoms and more.
