One of the more highly-debated topics to hit the film industry in 2018 is the idea that representation in films should extend to who is hired to act in diverse roles as well. Meaning, if the role is for a trans person, then a trans person should be hired. However, there are a fair number of actors that don’t agree that you must be trans to play a trans character or other such arguments. One of those people is Andy Serkis.
The actor, who is probably best known for his motion-capture performances in films like “King Kong,” the recent ‘Planet of the Apes’ series, and of course, “The Lord of the Rings” franchise, recently spoke to Variety to talk about his upcoming film “Mowgli” when the topic of diversity and representation came up.
You see, Serkis doesn’t agree with the idea that the actor in a role should reflect the role. When “Rub & Tug” was brought up in the conversation, Serkis said of the hate that Scarlett Johansson received, “I absolutely disagree. I really, vehemently disagree.”
For those that don’t remember, Johansson was cast in the lead role in the film “Rub & Tug,” which is the true story of a criminal in 1970s Pittsburgh. However, the actress was cast in a role of someone who was trans. Members and allies of the LGBTQ community were outraged that a cis-gender actress would be cast in the role and Johansson eventually acquiesced, leaving the project.
“Actors should be able to play anything, and that’s why I love this [performance capture] technology. What should be the point is that whatever color your skin is, whatever shape you are, whatever height you are, whatever your makeup is as an actor, you should have the ability to play anything,” Serkis continued.
READ MORE: ‘Rub & Tug’ Reportedly Not Moving Forward Due To Scarlett Johansson Departure
The discussion reminded him of his days doing ‘Lord of the Rings.’ He explains that when he was asked to do a completely different character next in “King Kong,” Serkis felt that the days of being typecast were over.
“I thought [after ‘Rings’], ‘Ok, I’ll be going back into my career as a conventional actor,’” said the actor. “But then Peter Jackson asked me to play King Kong, and that was a real epiphany moment — sort of going, ‘That, for me, is the end of typecasting.’ Of course, equal representation and opportunity is what [the conversation] should be about, but we’re in the art of the imagination.”
No doubt, this is a debate that will continue to rage on. But as of now, “Rub & Tug” seems dead in the water without Johansson. We’ll just have to see what happens next.
“Mowgli” is in select theaters now and will hit Netflix on December 7.
