Disney’s “Jungle Cruise” is currently in production, but is facing backlash after a recent casting decision. Jack Whitehall, an English comedian and actor, is set to play the first openly gay character in a live-action movie from the studio. However, Whitehall is a straight man and his casting and alleged characterization has caused some controversy.
Whitehall is playing Emily Blunt’s gay brother in the film alongside Dwayne Johnson. Campaigners for LGBTQ rights said Disney risked botching a historical moment by “playing up to negative tropes and received ideas about queer people” in the action adventure set in the 19th century, a time when it was unacceptable to be gay.
“An increasingly diverse audience both wants and expects to see and hear itself reflected authentically,” said Giovanni Bienne, the chairman of British acting union Equity’s LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) committee.
Whitehall’s character is said to be very “camp” and “effete,” which has drawn some blowback, as many people seem to think that Disney’s first openly gay character on the big screen shouldn’t rely on such stereotypes.
This isn’t the first time the studio has made headlines for its attempt at including LGBTQ scenes. Disney has flirted with gay characters before — “Beauty and the Beast” included small a gay moment between LeFou and Gaston. Marvel decided against including LGBTQ characters in “Thor: Ragnarok” and “Black Panther.”
Prior to the backlash, Whitehall seemed thrilled, writing in an Instagram post, “I’m so honoured to be part of this epic adventure, @disneysjunglecruise. Filming is underway and I am having the time of my life with my amazing co-stars. It’s so cool to be part of something of this scale and also as possibly one of the biggest Disney nerds on the planet so exciting to be working on a project with this much history.”
By: Maytinee Kramer
