Sunday, May 1, 2016

Quoran Answer Transplant: ScarJo's Personal Responsibility?

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".

No comments:

Post a Comment