Photo credit: www.foxnews.com

Benedict Cumberbatch Reflects on Controversial Role in “Zoolander 2”

Actor Benedict Cumberbatch has recently expressed regret over his portrayal of a non-binary character in the 2016 comedy “Zoolander 2.” In remarks reported by Variety, Cumberbatch shared that he has found himself needing to apologize several times for the role he played, which he acknowledges may have been problematic.

In “Zoolander 2,” Cumberbatch depicts a character named “All,” who is characterized by an androgynous look and shaved eyebrows. This character encounters the film’s protagonists, played by Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson, leading to uncomfortable and humorous discussions about gender identity.

During a scene in the movie, Stiller’s character queries, “So… are you, like, a male model or a female model?” to which Cumberbatch’s character replies, “All is not defined by binary constructs.” The interaction quickly turns to awkwardness as Wilson’s character characterizes the question with a joke about “hot dogs or buns.”

Cumberbatch later remarked on his experience in the film, saying, “I’ve had to apologize for that quite a lot. It’s a difficult one to talk about. I love that group of people and it was the chance to be part of something that, from the first movie, was iconic.” He acknowledged that the reception of the portrayal was complicated and that it upset many individuals, leading him to reconsider his participation if given the chance again.

The backlash against “Zoolander 2” included a petition that gathered approximately 25,000 signatures, urging a boycott of the film for its portrayal of non-binary individuals. Critics described Cumberbatch’s role as a “cartoonish mockery” of the non-binary community, equating it to the outdated practice of blackface in terms of representation.

The petition argued that a more thoughtful portrayal could have been achieved by casting actual non-binary or trans actors, rather than relying on a cisgender actor in a role that many deemed offensive. They contended that this misrepresentation perpetuates harmful stereotypes about queer individuals.

Reflecting on his choices, Cumberbatch acknowledged the societal shift in representation within the industry, stating that, “In this era, my role would never be performed by anybody other than a trans actor.” He recognized that at the time of filming, he was not fully aware of the implications of his role, viewing it through a specific comedic lens rather than considering the broader issues of representation.

This candid reflection by Cumberbatch underscores the evolving conversation surrounding gender identity and representation in film, highlighting the importance of sensitivity and awareness in the portrayal of marginalized communities.

Source
www.foxnews.com