Scarlett’s Johansson’s comments about representation prove Hollywood has work to do

Scarlett Johansson came under fire for her recent comments about playing diverse roles, proving there’s still work to do when it comes to delivering accurate representation in media.

Given the ever-increasing emphasis on the importance of representation in media, it’s really no surprise that Scarlett Johansson came under fire for her recent comments about playing diverse roles this past weekend. Twitter blew up in response to her statement, which came from an interview with As If 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,” Johansson said.

While it’s possible that Johansson made this statement without ill intentions, her words weren’t taken well by moviegoers who remembered her controversial casting in Ghost in the Shell or her Rug and Tug dilemma, during which she backed out of playing a transgender character after receiving backlash from LGBTQ+ advocates.

The actress made attempts to dial back her comments later, stating that they were “taken out of context.” She also admitted the realities driving the complaints, saying, “I recognize that in reality, there is a widespread discrepancy amongst my industry that favors Caucasian, cisgender actors and that not every actor has been given the same opportunities that I have been privileged to.”

Whether Johansson has learned something from the experience or not, though, the entire situation highlights a major truth about Hollywood: It still has a long way to go when it comes to delivering accurate representation in film and television.

There’s a huge double standard that allows white actors and actresses to portray roles that aren’t intended for them without feeling all that bad about it, thus taking those jobs from people of color or LGBTQ+ actors, most of whom don’t get as many opportunities to begin with.

Meanwhile, there’s almost always backlash when the roles are reversed and someone from a marginalized background plays a character initially thought to fit into the “caucasian, cisgender, and mostly male” standard — something that’s evident from the reactions to Halle Bailey’s casting as Ariel in Disney’s live-action The Little Mermaid and Lashana Lynch’s upcoming portrayal of 007 in Bond 25.

As a society, we need to acknowledge this shortcoming when it comes to casting and begin making strides toward fixing it. There’s no reason that a transgender character shouldn’t be played by a transgender actor, or that a character of color shouldn’t be played by an actor that represents their culturual background. In fact, it’ll only make the story being told even more authentic. And shouldn’t that be the point?

What did you think about Scarlett Johansson’s recent comments? Does Hollywood need to be more mindful of its casting?