Mark Ruffalo defends Matt Bomer over transgender role controversy

Amidst a public backlash over casting Matt Bomer as a transgender character in upcoming film Anything, the film’s executive producer and Matt’s former on-screen lover, Mark Ruffalo, has taken to social media to defend the choice.

Recent news about Matt Bomer getting cast as a sex worker in the film adaptation of Timothy McNeil’s play has sparked a social media backlash as people call for transgender actors to play transgender characters.

However, executive producer of the new film, Mark Ruffalo, has defended the decision in tweets empathetic to the trans community saying “it’s wrenching to you see you in this pain”.

He added that he recommended Matt Bomer for the role following ‘the profound experience’ he had with him whilst filming The Normal Heart, a HBO drama where they were cast as lovers which received tremendous reviews. ‘Anything’ illustrates the journey of the unlikely romance between a widower and a trans sex worker in LA.

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

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

Initial responses

to news about the casting choice heard that Matt Bomer was ‘neither strong nor brave enough’ from the trans community in a tense air of transgender people already being underrepresented in the film industry.

Writer and actress, Jen Richards, has been at the forefront of the disappointment, tweeting she auditioned for the role but they ‘didn’t care’ after she called them out for failing to cast trans women.

This is the first of recent questionable casting choices where cisgender actors are set to play transgender roles as Michelle Rodriguez was cast as a transgender assassin in new film (Re) Assignment. Previous criticism of casting included when Eddie Redmayne was set to play Lili Elbe in The Danish Girl.

Words by Charlotte Callear

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