Rebel Wilson, famous for her comedic roles in movies like Bridesmaids and Pitch Perfect, has been in the headlines this week for saying actors needing to play roles that align with her sexual orientation is “total nonsense.”
Aligning With the Character
In an interview with the Guardian, Rebel Wilson was asked about the existing guidelines for actors to align with the characters they portray. She emphasized that artistic freedom should allow actors to portray a variety of characters.
Total Nonsense
In the interview, Wilson said, “Saying only straight actors can play straight roles and gay actors can play gay roles … I think is total nonsense.”
Role of Comedy
In the interview, Wilson also discussed the delicate balance comedians must maintain when making jokes about sensitive topics, arguing that comedy often involves playing with what’s socially acceptable.
Hindering Creation
Wilson pointed out that always playing it safe can hinder the creation of good comedy and, “in comedy, your job is to always flirt with that line of what’s acceptable.”
Not Getting Good Comedy
Furthering her argument, Wilson said, “If people are just always being safe and protective, you’re not going to get good comedy from that.”
Finding Her Princess
Wilson herself is a proud lesbian who has openly talked about her experience, saying, “I thought I was searching for a Disney Prince … but maybe what I really needed all this time was a Disney Princess.”
Family Acceptance
Wilson said, “I’m lucky in my case, even though I come from a very conservative background, it went very, very well … My grandparents, who are in their 90s, just so chilled and cool with it.”
Tucci Weighs In
Stanley Tucci, another prominent actor, also spoke about the relationship between the actors and their characters and shared Wilson’s perspective on artistic freedom.
Regardless of Personal Identity
Tucci feels actors are meant to play different people and that acting as craft of involves portraying various characters, regardless of the actor’s personal identity.
The Point of Acting
Tucci said, “I really do believe that an actor is an actor is an actor. You’re supposed to play different people. You just are. That’s the whole point of it.”
Authentic Acting
However, there are many people who have taken the opposite stance, and feel that an actor’s need to authentically align with the characters they are attempting to portray.
Gay Characters and Actors
“Doctor Who” showrunner Russell T Davies argues their should be authenticity in a character casting and that gay characters should be played by gay actors.
Casting Choices
Davies said, “You wouldn’t cast someone able-bodied and put them in a wheelchair,” and “you wouldn’t black someone up.”
Academic Perspective
On this point, Jane Ward, a professor of gender and sexuality studies, has discussed the scarcity of LGBTQ+ roles and it is therefore crucial to ensure these roles are available to LGBTQ+ actors.
Scarcity of Representation
Ward said, “It would be nice if there were enough LGBT roles that anyone could play them because there wasn’t any scarcity of representation. However, that’s not the case.”
Tom Hanks’ Reflection
In 1993, Tom Hanks won an Oscar for playing a gay character in “Philadelphia” and believes that a straight actor playing such a role would not be accepted today.
Changing Regarding
Reflecting on the changing movie, Hanks said, “One of the reasons people weren’t afraid of that movie is that I was playing a gay man.”
Beyond Inauthenticicity
“We’re beyond that now, and I don’t think people would accept the inauthenticity of a straight guy playing a gay guy.”
Modern Movie Authenticity
Hanks said, “It’s not a crime, it’s not boohoo, that someone would say we are going to demand more of a movie in the modern realm of authenticity.”
The post “Total Nonsense” Rebel Wilson Slams Casting Rules for LGBTQ Roles first appeared on Pulse of Pride.
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Fred Duval.
