A live-action movie adaptation of Disneyland's popular Jungle Cruise ride is currently in the works at Walt Disney Pictures. The film—which already has stars like Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Emily Blunt attached to it—is set to feature the media giant's first explicitly gay character, but before you go jumping for joy, know this: the character is being played by a straight man.
According to UK newspaper The Sun, 30-year-old British comedian Jack Whitehall (a name most people in the States probably won't know and will probably have to Google) is joining the cast of Jungle Cruise playing a "fun, effete young man."
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Fans were quick to point out that while having an explicitly gay character appear in a Disney title will be groundbreaking, the fact that a straight man is occupying the role undercuts the message Disney is trying to send about LGBT representation on screen.
\u201cI don\u2019t just hate Jack Whitehall as he went to Marlb College, I also hate him because his straight brand of camp gets rewarded in society (see also: David Walliams) whereas campness in gay men stays on society\u2019s peripherals\u201d— Elliott (@Elliott) 1534106785
\u201cScarlett Johansson walked so Jack Whitehall could run\u201d— shauntay (@shauntay) 1534106229
\u201cWow, @Disney couldn\u2019t find ANY gay actors in Hollywood to play the first openly gay character in their new film?!?! \n\nDon\u2019t get me wrong, @JackWhitehall is a cutie, BUT HE\u2019S STRAIGHT!\n\nThis is a huge problem in Hollywood, let gay actors play gay roles!\u201d— Brandon Hilton (@Brandon Hilton) 1534165773
\u201cHow is a straight actor playing a \u201chugely effete, very camp," secondary gay character helpful for #LGBT visibility and positive portrayal in the arts? Booooo, @DisneyPixar...\nhttps://t.co/84lddcbqrX\u201d— Callum Jackson (@Callum Jackson) 1534153299
\u201cReally @Disney #JungleCruise ? Your first significant gay role will be played by a straight white man perpetuating stereotypes? Fail! This ship should sink. \n\nhttps://t.co/npPESNZaxD\u201d— Omar Sharif Jr. (@Omar Sharif Jr.) 1534152881
\u201cFor the record, I think Jack Whitehall will do a terrific job...MY POINT: For a global company that speaks primarily to youth, Disney had an opportunity to give queer kids an authentic reflection of themselves to see on TV and role model to look up to in real life.\u201d— Omar Sharif Jr. (@Omar Sharif Jr.) 1534177053
So what are your thoughts on Disney's Jungle Cruise? Should they have cast an openly queer actor to play an explicitly gay role? Let us know in the comments and on Twitter!
