In slightly depressing news for 2018, Disney’s Jungle Cruise is set to make history by featuring the studio’s first openly gay live-action character. Unfortunately, the filmmakers decided to cast British comedian Jack Whitehall in the role – a straight actor rumoured to play the part “hugely effete, very camp and very funny”.
The problem seems fairly obvious to everyone except Disney, who hasn’t responded to the rising online backlash yet – and who obviously didn’t think it was an issue in the first place.
On the heels of the controversy that plagued Scarlett Johansson on Rub And Tug, and Ruby Rose on Batwoman, a bit more sensitivity was clearly needed here. The fact that Whitehall is straight himself doesn’t seem to be a problem (it is called “acting”, after all), but turning Disney’s first gay character into a mincing stereotype is quite obviously a bit offensive.
A Twitter-storm is already brewing over the issue, and Disney will need to respond soon if it wants to stop this from sinking Jungle Cruise.