Hollywood A-lister Scarlett Johansson has once again given her thoughts on controversial roles that she has been given in the past that many feel she shouldn't have been cast in.
In an interview with AS IF, the Avengers star chose to defend herself against criticism dating back to her casting as an Asian woman in Ghost in the Shell and as a trans man in Rub and Tug, the latter of which she has since pulled out of.
She told the magazine:
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.
I feel like it’s a trend in my business and it needs to happen for various social reasons, yet there are times it does get uncomfortable when it affects the art because I feel art should be free of restrictions.
I think society would be more connected if we just allowed others to have their own feelings and not expect everyone to feel the way we do.
We're in no position to pass judgement on Johansson's acting skills and as much as we would like to see her play a tree, these comments come across as rather tone deaf as the aforementioned roles that caused the debate in the first place were likely to have offended some.
The reaction to the Black Widow actor's quotes has been one of fury and disappointment at the fact that she didn't learn from her previous mistake.
Am repinning this to my profile because ScarJo has learned nothing. Am definitely NOT watching ‘Black Widow’ or any… https://t.co/tTMoMqaVkr— Nancy Wang Yuen (@Nancy Wang Yuen) 1563043483
It's not about Scarlett Johansson getting to play any ethnicity / sexual orientation she likes... Hollywood doesn'… https://t.co/xBjr2Th2Ku— Femi (@Femi) 1563084514
When trans people are “allowed to play any person,” when prominent roles stop being whitewashed, then Scarlett Joha… https://t.co/POOxHml6yl— Dean Van Nguyen (@Dean Van Nguyen) 1563062219
scarlett johansson, highest paid actress in the world, not stepping aside to give opportunities to minorities but,… https://t.co/3MWKjcPmcT— courtney (@courtney) 1563061628
However, the internet soon started to use her quotes against her and the 34-year-old became something on an unwanted meme.
“Speed” remake with Scarlett Johansson as the bus— pixelatedboat aka “mr tweets” (@pixelatedboat aka “mr tweets”) 1563068612
Is this Scarlett Johansson? https://t.co/5bKrS8nPvJ— Ξvan Ross Katz (@Ξvan Ross Katz) 1563058332
I’m sorry but a movie about the Obamas where #ScarlettJohansson plays both of them would be fucking lit and you know it.— Tim Dillon (@Tim Dillon) 1563072016
Everyone: Scarlett, you can’t play Rosa Parks Scarlett Johansson: Why. Everyone: because you’re not bla- Scarle… https://t.co/WzDmJPIL2t— Nurun (@Nurun) 1563057640
From now on Scarlett Johansson should only get to play trees, animals, and Ivanka.— The Volatile Mermaid (@The Volatile Mermaid) 1563079783
How Scarlett Johansson sees herself https://t.co/gXaN5g1Hu0— rachel (@rachel) 1563051525
HT Comic Book