LGBT plan boycott for ‘Zoolander 2’
After a 15 year break, Derek Zoolander (Ben Stiller) and Hansel (Owen Wilson) will walk down the runway again.
Zoolander 2 has become one of the most highly anticipated comedies in 2016, and the release of its first trailer last week only increased that anticipation. However, not everyone is too happy about the trailer for the new movie. In fact, LGBT activists are calling for a boycott of the movie due to it’s allegedly offensive portrayal of the transgender community.
The Hollywood Reporter reports that the controversy in question comes from a particular character in the movie named ALL, portrayed by Benedict Cumberbatch. All is a androgynous supermodel that does not fit into the perception of gender. When introduced to Zoolander, he is asked if All is a man or a woman, followed by a clarifying question, “Do you have a hot dog or a bun?”. And apparently, the seen did not sit well with several people.
LGBT activist Sarah Rose, whose petition to boycott the movie has received almost 6,000 signatures, spoke out against the movie and the the alleged offensive portrayal of trans people in the movie:
Cumberbatch’s character is clearly portrayed as an over-the-top, cartoonish mockery of androgyne/trans/non-binary individuals… This is the modern equivalent of using blackface to represent a minority. Like any rational person, I think there’s a place for discourse and humor in society, but the last thing the transgender community needs at this moment is another harmful, cartoonish portrayal of our lives.
Recent Zoolander 2 news:
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‘Zoolander 2’ Open Casting Call for Kids and Models
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‘Zoolander 2’ Films During Paris Fashion Week
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Zoolander 2 is Happening! Penelope Cruz Joins the Cast
What do you think? Did Zoolander 2 go too far? Share with us your thoughts in the comments below!