'Rub & Tug' Reportedly Not Moving Forward Due To Scarlett Johansson Departure

Scarlett Johansson is one of the few actors in Hollywood, male or female, that can get a film produced just on their name alone. If Johansson signs up for a film, and agrees to help produce it, then suddenly there are a ton of studios that are interested. It appears that’s the case with the film “Rub & Tug.” Without her involvement, the film seems to be falling apart.

A couple weeks ago, we found out that Johansson would star and produce in a biopic about Pittsburgh crime boss Dante Tex Gill. The film would have seen the actress play the part of a trans man who ran a ring of illicit massage parlors and a steroids empire in the ‘70s. However, the backlash came quick and hard, with LGBTQ actors, actresses, and groups coming out against her casting, calling it problematic. It didn’t help that she was teaming with director Rupert Sanders, who helmed the other controversial film starring Johansson, “Ghost in the Shell.”

Johansson recently pulled out of the project, with a statement saying, “In light of recent ethical questions raised surrounding my casting as Dante Tex Gill, I have decided to respectfully withdraw my participation in the project.” And according to The Wrap, since her departure from the project, there’s no guarantee that the story will be told, at all.

The report says that it “doesn’t look good for the movie,” meaning the project might just die altogether without Johansson’s involvement. As sad as it is to see an interesting story like Gill’s not get the proper treatment, this shows that the actress’ name was the biggest selling factor. And yes, it would appear that Johansson did the right thing and pulled out of the film. However, in doing so, it appears that she doomed the entire production, for better or worse.

The Wrap says Sanders is still attached to direct, but without Johansson’s involvement, it’s likely not enough to move forward.

14 Responses

  1. blank
    Devylknyght

    LMFAO

    There aren’t enough lbgtq movies!!!!

    Okay we are going make one with a big star.

    You can’t do that! She isn’t trans!

    Okay she isn’t going to do it anymore but our investors have pulled out since they know the movie won’t make any money without a star in the lead role. So there is no movie now.

    There aren’t enough lbgtq movies!!!!

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    Clay Castille

    What did Playlist think was going to happen? You know more than most that monetary return is the reason for any greenlit film and you chose to bash an A-list cis actor for wanting to bring a queer character to mainstream audiences.

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    Clean up in aisle 247

    Nice going , SJW fascists.

    You throw a temper tantrum screaming “we want more movies with women and trans characters!”.

    They give you one.

    You respond “f*** that cisgender, white b***h! Rot in hell, Scarlett!”.

    She pulls out.

    Film cancelled.

    No trans movie for you, SJW’s.

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    Suckmuckduck999

    So, for all of you hardworking crew people, the key grip, the costumers, the writers, the performers, the producers, the conductor, the musicians, the orchestra, the movie theaters, the union machine projectionists, the ticket takers, the candy and popcorn people, and all of the other people who were hoping to get paid, bye Felecia. Get work, go broke.

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    Reverdy

    Pulling out of that role was a mistake, but you still can’t blame her due to the needless furore.

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    Derek W. Ruttle

    Nice job, uptight and narrow-minded whiners; you killed a movie entirely.

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    miguelBT2809

    Good for Scarlett Johansson! The project wouldn’t have been greenlit without her, anyway!

    She said, “f-u, I’m going to go work my OTHER greenlit film while y’all figure this out. Good luck!”.

    She could’ve centered the film around the girlfriend & played THAT role, but she needed to come to that decision gradually, not from SJW pressures.