20 Casting Controversies Around Queer Roles That Ignited Fandoms

Who gets cast in LGBTQ+ roles is a hot topic in film and TV right now. Viewers are paying close attention to whether actors share the same identities as their characters, and how shows and movies address any concerns raised about casting. These discussions can even affect how a project is marketed and whether it succeeds. Here’s a look at twenty times casting choices for queer roles caused major conversations among fans.

Scarlett Johansson – ‘Rub & Tug’

In 2018, Scarlett Johansson was cast as Dante Tex Gill, a transgender man who owned a massage parlor, in the upcoming movie ‘Rub & Tug’. This decision quickly faced criticism from transgender rights groups who argued a transgender actor should have been cast in the role. Johansson initially defended the casting choice, but later decided to withdraw from the project. As a result, the film was put on hold, and the producers started focusing on finding a transgender actor to play the lead role.

Halle Berry – Proposed Trans Role

In 2020, Halle Berry announced she had been cast to play a transgender man in a new movie. Following criticism from transgender actors and activists, she apologized and decided to withdraw from the role. She also committed to using her influence to advocate for more inclusive casting. The film continued development without her involvement.

Eddie Redmayne – ‘The Danish Girl’

Eddie Redmayne played Lili Elbe in ‘The Danish Girl’ and received an Oscar nomination for his performance. However, some transgender viewers criticized the casting, feeling a trans actress should have been chosen for the role. Redmayne later stated he wouldn’t accept the part today and recognized the validity of those concerns. This situation has since become a key example in discussions about accurate and inclusive transgender representation in film.

Jared Leto – ‘Dallas Buyers Club’

Jared Leto won an Academy Award for his role as Rayon in ‘Dallas Buyers Club,’ but his casting sparked controversy. Some viewers applauded his performance, while others questioned why a cisgender man was chosen to play a transgender woman. The film continued to fuel this debate for months after its release, and it’s still often brought up in conversations about representation and who should play transgender characters.

Matt Bomer – ‘Anything’

In the 2017 film ‘Anything,’ Matt Bomer played a transgender woman, a casting choice that sparked debate. Some transgender advocates felt a trans actress should have been cast in the role. While filmmakers defended their decision, the controversy highlighted the need for more leading roles for transgender actors and actresses.

Jeffrey Tambor – ‘Transparent’

The show ‘Transparent’ starred Jeffrey Tambor as Maura Pfefferman and was immediately praised by critics. However, some viewers questioned why a transgender woman wasn’t cast in the lead role. As the series continued, the production team made an effort to hire more transgender people both on screen and behind the scenes. After allegations of misconduct, Tambor left the show, and the story ended with a single final episode.

James Corden – ‘The Prom’

James Corden played Barry Glickman, a Broadway character, in the 2020 Netflix film ‘The Prom’. His performance received criticism for relying on clichés, and many questioned why a straight actor was chosen for the role. This sparked a larger conversation about whether actors should authentically represent the identities of the characters they play. The film, which featured a well-known cast, continued to generate discussion online.

Jeremy Irvine – ‘Stonewall’

As a movie lover, I remember when Roland Emmerich’s ‘Stonewall’ came out in 2015, it really caused a stir. The trailers showed a story centered around a white, cisgender male character, played by Jeremy Irvine, and a lot of people – activists and fans alike – were upset. The big concern was that it overshadowed the real heroes of the Stonewall uprising – the trans women and people of color who were actually there. Everyone was asking for a more historically accurate portrayal, and honestly, that controversy really impacted how the film was received. It just didn’t sit right with a lot of us.

Hilary Swank – ‘Boys Don’t Cry’

Hilary Swank’s performance as Brandon Teena in ‘Boys Don’t Cry’ earned her an Academy Award. However, in recent years, there’s been discussion about whether a transgender actor could have brought valuable insight and opportunity to the role. The film remains a key example when discussing how standards for on-screen representation are changing, and its impact is marked by both praise and ongoing conversations about casting choices.

Nick Robinson – ‘Love, Simon’

Nick Robinson starred in ‘Love, Simon’ as a teenager struggling with his sexuality and experiencing first love. Some viewers debated whether a straight actor should have played the lead in such a significant mainstream LGBTQ+ teen romance. Robinson has said he spoke with LGBTQ+ friends and colleagues while making the film. The movie’s popularity paved the way for more stories about queer teens.

Michael Cimino – ‘Love, Victor’

Michael Cimino starred in ‘Love, Victor,’ a show that continued the story begun in ‘Love, Simon.’ After the show premiered, some people on social media questioned why a straight actor was playing a gay character. Cimino responded by explaining his commitment to supporting the LGBTQ+ community and telling the story with respect. The series went on to run for several seasons and gained a dedicated following.

Rami Malek – ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’

As a huge film fan, I remember when ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ came out – it was everywhere! Rami Malek’s performance as Freddie Mercury was definitely a talking point, and honestly, a lot of people started wondering if an openly queer actor might have been a better fit for the role, considering Freddie’s bisexuality. Malek himself talked a lot about how much research he did and how closely he worked with the remaining members of Queen to get it right. And with all the awards the film racked up, that conversation about the casting just wouldn’t go away – and I think it was a really important one to have.

Taron Egerton – ‘Rocketman’

Taron Egerton played Elton John in the movie ‘Rocketman’ and actually sang the songs you hear in the film. This led to some discussion about whether the role should have been played by a gay actor. Egerton pointed out that Elton John himself supported his casting and emphasized the film’s commitment to honestly portraying sexuality. Many fans talked about the movie’s open and frank depiction of romantic relationships.

Josh Gad – ‘Beauty and the Beast’

Josh Gad portrayed LeFou in the live-action ‘Beauty and the Beast,’ which featured a subtle moment many interpreted as a reference to his homosexuality. This sparked discussion about whether a straight actor should play a character intended to be Disney’s first openly gay role in a big film. While some viewers felt the scene was too short, others were glad to see the inclusion. This debate ultimately shaped how audiences anticipated representation in future large-scale movies.

Benedict Cumberbatch – ‘The Power of the Dog’

I was completely captivated by Benedict Cumberbatch’s performance in ‘The Power of the Dog’. He played a deeply internal, closeted rancher, and it really sparked a conversation – a really important one, I thought – about whether LGBTQ+ roles should be played by LGBTQ+ actors. Cumberbatch himself talked about how carefully he prepared and how much he focused on understanding the character’s inner world. The film received a lot of awards buzz, which kept that debate going all season long, and I think that’s a good thing.

Timothée Chalamet and Armie Hammer – ‘Call Me by Your Name’

The movie ‘Call Me by Your Name,’ starring Timothée Chalamet and Armie Hammer in a love story set in Italy, sparked discussion about the practice of casting straight actors in LGBTQ+ roles. While many appreciated the film’s quality, some argued for more opportunities for queer actors themselves. The film’s success meant it continued to be brought up in conversations about this issue.

Kit Connor – ‘Heartstopper’

Kit Connor, who starred as Nick Nelson in ‘Heartstopper,’ dealt with a lot of online discussion about his sexual orientation as the show grew popular. He eventually shared that he is bisexual, but also expressed frustration with the pressure to publicly define his identity. This situation highlighted problematic behavior within fandoms regarding actors and authenticity, and sparked important discussions about protecting performers’ privacy.

Ruby Rose – ‘Batwoman’

Ruby Rose played Kate Kane in the TV series ‘Batwoman’. Although Rose publicly identifies as LGBTQ+, some viewers debated the casting decision, and it became a popular topic online. The show initially received a lot of attention for its progress in on-screen representation. After one season, Rose left the show, and a new actor took over the lead role to continue the series.

Jameela Jamil – ‘Legendary’

The reality competition show ‘Legendary’ faced criticism when it premiered, as some in the ballroom community questioned why Jameela Jamil, who wasn’t from that culture, was chosen as a judge. Show producers responded by explaining the judging roles and emphasizing the involvement of established ballroom experts. They also adjusted how the show was presented to better showcase the ballroom houses and community.

Billy Porter – ‘Cinderella’

Billy Porter, who played the Fairy Godmother in ‘Cinderella’, intentionally portrayed the character as having no specific gender. This choice sparked discussion about how well movies for families represent gender fluidity. Porter explained that the role was important because it showed positive examples of people expressing themselves in ways that aren’t traditional. The filmmakers used the attention to highlight their commitment to creating inclusive stories for children.

Let us know in the comments which moments were most memorable for you, and which actors you think had the biggest impact on how the discussion unfolded.

2025-11-14 06:21