Is Scarlett Johansson equally responsible as the production company for whitewashing Ghost in the Shell by accepting the role?
Question details: Considering
she doesn't need the role, she has the money, the fame, and the
respect. She's not a struggling actor desperate for her breakout role
who can't afford to lose this opportunity. She can pick whatever role
she wants. Shouldn't the blackfaced actor be held as responsible as the
showrunner?
The answer is an unequivocal NO,
she is certainly not EQUALLY responsible as the production company,
that's ridiculous. People are inclined to put actors and actresses up on
pedestals but remember, they are employees NOT bosses. All those things
you mention in the question details: doesn't need more money, more
fame, more respect, etc. is technically true, but so what? Who says she
must rest on her laurels or even be discerning about what scripts she
accepts? Those decisions are hers alone.
On the other hand, is she absolved of any and all wrongdoing? Unequivocally NO yet
again. As an A-list actress she has some influence at the very least
insofar as she can draw attention to any issue simply by pointing a
finger. If she cared to she could have turned down the role and publicly
spoken about the subject of whitewashed casting in Hollywood. I'd
believe that she's never heard of the Ghost in the Shell franchise but
that's irrelevant. When she saw the name of the character she'd be
playing, Motoko Kusanagi, it should have raised an eyebrow. But
apparently it didn't, at least not high enough to prompt a reply of "I,
um, I think I'd be miscast for this role".
