Mark Ruffalo, one of the most liberal stars out there, is learning you just can’t win in Hollywood these days. Ruffalo, who mixes playing the Hulk in Marvel movies with indie films, has found himself under fire for producing a film in which a cisgendered actor has been cast as a transgender prostitute.
Anything, based on a 2007 play by Tim McNeil, stars actor Matt Bomer (Magic Mike) who is one of the rare openly gay high-profile Hollywood actors. He just happens not to be transgender. Cue outrage led by the transgender acting community, which is still smarting over Eddie Redmayne playing a trans woman in last year’s period drama The Danish Girl.
I auditioned for this. I told them they shouldn’t have a cis man play a trans woman. They didn’t care. https://t.co/T7YFe6OeX9
— Jen Richards (@SmartAssJen) August 28, 2016
Why the hell is Matt Bomer playing a transgender woman?????
— \ Emma \ (@ToManyFeelings) August 30, 2016
Casting men to play Trans women leads to violence against trans women. @markruffalo @mattbomer @DiversityACTRA https://t.co/E4Qu8mwCh0
— Savannah Burton (@savannahvburton) August 28, 2016
@MarkRuffalo
Since we’re ALL not getting killed, is it that hard to simply have a trans woman PLAY a trans woman? https://t.co/bbxSiMVgzo— Elisa (@TrulyTG) August 30, 2016
Instead of politely responding that acting is about fictional role-playing and that a good-looking star would help the movie get made and subsequently seen, Ruffalo, who is also a 9/11 Truther, addressed the criticism in anguished fashion on social media:
To the Trans community. I hear you. It’s wrenching to you see you in this pain. I am glad we are having this conversation. It’s time.
— Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) August 31, 2016
However Ruffalo inadvertently made things even worse by revealing that the film has already been shot so it can’t be recast and that it was his own idea to cast Bomer, who he co-starred with in HBO AIDS drama The Normal Heart:
@Vodstok The movie is already shot and Matt poured his heart and soul into this part. Please have a little compassion. We are all learning.
— Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) August 31, 2016
In all honesty I suggested Matt for the role after the profound experience I had with him while making “The Normal Heart”.
— Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) August 31, 2016
At least Ruffalo has been more forthcoming than star Bomer, who has been decidedly touchy since the controversy surfaced. Trans actress Jamie Clayton — star of Netflix’s Sens8 — found herself blocked by Bomer when she took him to task:
It’s sad that this happens instead of wanting to have a conversation about how to help. #transisbeautiful @MattBomer pic.twitter.com/k4Qpap5dLW
— Jamie Clayton (@MsJamieClayton) August 30, 2016
Even though Ruffalo has made clear the film — directed by McNeil and also starring John Carroll Lynch and The Affair‘s Maura Tierney — will not be re-cast, that hasn’t stopped social justice warriors from continuing to wage war on the movie.
A petition to not release the film on change.org has received over 200 signatures, with creator Hannah Howard in fine form:
Woohoo… 171 signatures in just over 12 hours… we’re on the virge of ‘going viral’ — please keep sharing… https://t.co/6Fcm6EbWHc
— Hannah Howard (@techgirlwonder) September 1, 2016
