Jack Whitehall As Disney’s First Openly Gay Character Sparks Controversey

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Whitehall is set to star alongside Emily Blunt and Dwayne Johnson in Disney’s  film ‘Jungle Cruise’, which is due to be released next year.

The upcoming adventure film is based on a roller coaster of the same name, which is a hugely popular attraction across a number of Disney Parks.

The film is set to be one of a number of LGBTQ+ themed films released over the past year, with ‘Love, Simon’ and ‘Call Me By Your Name’ each being a big success in cinemas.

According to The Sun, Whitehall’s character is set to be ‘fun’ and ‘effete’ with ‘no interest in women’.

Whitehall stated that he was ‘honored to be part of this epic adventure’ in a recent 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. Watch to the end of this video and see the most incredible set I’ve ever seen. They built it from the ground up and walking onto it for the first time a month ago was like stepping back in time. Can’t wait for you to see this film… #junglecruise

A post shared by Jack Whitehall (@jackwhitehall) on Aug 9, 2018 at 2:42pm PDT

Disney’s casting has sparked controversy however, with actors such as Omar Sharif Jr taking to Twitter to condemn Disney’s choice:

Really @Disney #JungleCruise ? Your first significant gay role will be played by a straight white man perpetuating stereotypes? Fail! This ship should sink. https://t.co/npPESNZaxD

— Omar Sharif Jr. (@OmarSharifJr) August 13, 2018

‘Eating Out’ star Chris Salvatore also voiced his disapproval:

Such a dam shame it’s so hard to find gay actors to play gay roles in hollywood ?. Do better @disney @jackwhitehall https://t.co/QUQ3qbb8NZ

— Chris Salvatore (@CSalvatore) August 12, 2018

The controversy surrounding Whitehall follows soon after Scarlett Johansson faced backlash after announcing that she would be playing the role of a transgender man in the upcoming film’Rub & Tug’. Following the row, Johansson withdrew from the film and stated in an interview to Out magazine that she chose to do so “in light of recent ethical questions”.

Love Disney? Check out this sneak peak of the upcoming live action ‘Dumbo’, directed by Tim Burton.