Mark Ruffalo Asks For ‘Compassion’ After Movie’s Transgender Controversy

It’s a delicate subject to debate, but the idea of non-transgender actors playing the roles of transgender characters has seen Mark Ruffalo and Matt Bomer’s new movie ‘Anything’ come under fire, and it needs to be talked about.

The movie was recently heavily criticised as online movie fans and members of the LGBT community voiced their outrage over Bomer’s casting as a transgender sex worker, with calls for the part to be recast with a transgendered actor.

Ruffalo, best known for his addition to the Marvel universe as Hulk, was quick to reassure angry people that he and the film has nothing but the best intentions at heart.

With the actor addressing the trans community in a fairly sincere way it seemed he was trying to open a discourse but, in the opinions of others, not quite in the right manner.

The actor went on to say that it was he who actually secured Bomer the role and also asked people to show a bit of compassion, which probably wasn’t the best request to an LGBT community who already feel marginalised, and are now being asked to be understanding by the ones at the centre of the problem.

Sure, the actors may have given it their all and, in their view, tried to make the best, most tasteful film possible but it is difficult to ignore the outcry that in fact a trans actor should have taken the role, rather than someone who isn’t and is trying to act like they are.

One transgender actor tweeted that they auditioned for the film and didn’t hold back in what they shared online or what they told the casting people.

The criticism directed at the production has admittedly done some good in highlighting the issue of heterosexual or gay actors playing a trans role - just like Eddie Redmayne did in last year’s ‘The Danish Girl’ to huge critical acclaim, but is it right to do so?

Picture credits: WENN, Twitter