Cate Blanchett defends straight actors playing LGBT roles in Hollywood: ‘I will fight to the death’

Cate Blanchett has defended straight actors playing gay roles in movies and TV.

The film industry, in particular, has been criticised for giving LGBT roles to straight actors with Scarlett Johansson pulling out of playing a trans character in Rub & Tug following backlash.

Cate, who starred in Ocean’s 8, played a lesbian in 2015’s Carol.

She said: ‘I will fight to the death for the right to suspend disbelief and play roles beyond my experience.’

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button star disagrees with the idea that a performer only really knows a character if they have shared experiences.

Speaking during a Q&A at the Rome Film Festival she said: ‘Reality television and all that that entails had an extraordinary impact, a profound impact on the way we view the creation of character.

‘I think it provides a lot of opportunity, but the downside of it is that we now, particularly in America, we expect and only expect people to make a profound connection to a character when it’s close to their experience.’

Cate’s comments come months after Scarlett was cast to star in Rub & Tug, in which she was set to play a trans man.

However, the actress announced that she was stepping away from the role in the wake of casting controversy in July.

In her statement, she called the casting ‘insensitive’ and said she had learned a lot from the transgender community.

‘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,’ she said in a statement to Out Magazine.

‘Our cultural understanding of transgender people continues to advance, and I’ve learned a lot from the community since making my first statement about my casting and realise it was insensitive.

‘I have great admiration and love for the trans community and am grateful that the conversation regarding inclusivity in Hollywood continues.

‘According to GLAAD, LGBTQ+ characters dropped 40% in 2017 from the previous year, with no representation of trans characters in any major studio release.

‘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.

‘I believe that all artists should be considered equally and fairly.

‘My production company, These Pictures, actively pursues projects that both entertain and push boundaries. We look forward to working with every community to bring these most poignant and important stories to audiences worldwide.’

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