Scarlett Johansson quits transgender role after receiving backlash

Actress Scarlett Johansson has backed out of a project in which she was supposed to a transgender character.

Johansson had been receiving a lot of criticism for agreeing to play Dante "Tex" Gill, a transgender man who owns a Pittsburgh massage parlour. Most felt that atransgender actor should ideally play the role in the mob -drama 'Rub & Tug' that is being helmed by Rupert Sanders.

"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. 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 realize it was insensitive," Johansson said in a statement to a website.

"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."

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Earlier, Johansson was criticized for playing an originally Asian animated character, The Major, in the live-action adaptation of "Ghost in the Shell". It was also directed by Sanders.