As the debate about onscreen representation rages on, looks like actress Scarlett Johansson managed to, once again, step on some toes.
In a recent interview with As If magazine, The Avengers actress said actors should be allowed to play any person "because that is my job and the requirement of my job."
"You know, as an actor I should be allowed to play any person, or any tree, or any animal because that is my job and the requirements of my job," Johansson said. "I feel like it's a trend in my business and it needs to happen for various social reasons, yet there are times it does get uncomfortable when it affects the art because I feel art should be free of restrictions."
"I think society would be more connected if we just allowed others to have their own feelings and not expect everyone to feel the way we do," she added.
However, the backlash from the internet was swift and the actress quickly clarified her stance saying that comments she made on the "authentic casting" debate have been taken out of context and asserts that she supports diversity in film.
The actress came under fire in 2017 for playing an Asian character in Ghost in the Shell and cancelled plans last year to portray a transgender man in the upcoming film Rub & Tug, after transgender actors and advocates questioned the casting.
Johansson said Saturday that those comments were subsequently edited in other publications for "clickbait."
"I personally feel that, in an ideal world, an actor should be able to play anybody and Art, in all forms, should be immune to political correctness," she said in a statement.
"I recognise that in reality, there is a wide spread discrepancy amongst my industry that favours Caucasian, cisgender actors and that not every actor has been given the same opportunities that I have been privileged to."