Get Ready for Blackface Scarlett Johansson

Scarlett Johansson, so sexy with that foot in her mouth. In an interview with As If magazine, Scarlett Johansson responded to her past casting controversies, saying she “should be allowed to play any person, or any tree, or any animal because that is my job and the requirements of my job.”

Sigh.

Johansson got people in an uproar last year over her casting as a transgender man in Rub & Tug. It’s a film “based on the true story of a transgender man who ran a ring of prostitution fronts.” That sounds very interesting.  I’d watch. She later turned down the role after people objected to her casting. At the time, she said:

While I would have loved the opportunity to bring Dante’s story and transition to life, I understand why many feel he should be portrayed by a transgender person, and I am thankful that this casting debate, albeit controversial, has sparked a larger conversation about diversity and representation in film.

Ironically, who thinks that movie gets made now without Hollywood’s most popular A-list actress?

This was last year. The year before that, she got cast in Ghost in the Shell. Some people felt it should’ve gone to an Asian actress since it was a Japanese manga. It also didn’t help that the studio reportedly used CGI to make Johansson look more Asian. If you think about it, why didn’t the studios use a lower paid Asian actress, use CGI to make her more Caucasian, then pocket the difference and blow it on cocaine?

Talking more about political correctness and this whole diversity in Hollywood thing:

“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.”

Let’s pause to digest this. A rich, white Hollywood actress who gets first choice of any roles saying she should be allowed to play any role. Implying that yes, regardless of race or whatever that role means in a cultural context, she should play it without any fuss from you critics. Meanwhile, people of color get table scraps.

Even getting a gig as a tree would be tough as a person of color. “We’re looking for a tree that’s a little less..ethnic.”

I’m not sure if it’s that these words aren’t coming across well in print or what. Maybe they sound better coming out of Scarlett’s mouth.

A “trend”? A trend is something that goes away, like a fad. We’re talking about an evolution in the mindset of Hollywood to catch up with society. Realizing that wow, there’s a huge pool of actors and actresses of different backgrounds who can act and do it well. We don’t always need to rely on the Scarlett Johanssons of the world.

Of course, we have to make sure Hollywood keeps hiring attractive people. Don’t need no ugly people messing up our film-watching experience.