The decision to cast Whitehall, rather than someone who identifies as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, has drawn criticism on Twitter.
The Jungle Cruise also stars Emily Blunt and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, and is an action-adventure story set in the 19th century. According to The Sun, Whitehall will portray a gay man who is "hugely effete, very camp and very funny."
The backlash comes on the heels of protests against casting cis actors (like Scarlett Johansson) taking on roles to play trans people and white actors (like Scarlett Johansson) portraying characters originally of a different race.
The casting decision also comes just days after LGBTQ+ actor Ruby Rose was chased off of Twitter for being cast as Batwoman in an upcoming CW series.
Others, meanwhile, are pushing back and arguing that it is an actor's job to portray people who they are not and to immerse themselves in experiences that are not their own.
See some of the heated responses to Whitehall's latest role below.
If Scarlett Johansson wasn't allowed to play a trans man then Jack Whitehall shouldn't be allowed to play a gay man. Especially so when you consider there are absolute hundreds of out gay men in Hollywood who are better actors than him
— Sophie WilkINson (@sophwilkinson) August 13, 2018
And while we are at it, I'm not sure a non-serial killer should play a serial killer.
— Julie Bindel (@bindelj) August 13, 2018
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
For 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.
— Omar Sharif Jr. (@OmarSharifJr) August 13, 2018
Imagine being angry at the discovery that acting involves actors pretending to be people they aren't. https://t.co/JaRObC2Lve
— Mark Wallace (@wallaceme) August 13, 2018
*runs in late*
— James Ball (@jamesrbuk) August 13, 2018
On Jack Whitehall:
1. Of course it's okay for straight actors to play gay, and vice versa
2. That doesn't mean it's not a shame for Disney's first every major gay role – which will likely create a role model – not to go to someone who was gay or bi.
*runs back out*
'Jack Whitehall isn't gay so he shouldn't play a gay man.'
— JΛKE BUCKLEY 🇦🇺 (@TheMasterBucks) August 13, 2018
'Ruby Rose isn't gay enough she shouldn't play Batwoman.'
When are people gonna realise that this is what actors do? Pretend to be people that they aren't? smh
"Would you rather gay stories not be told at all? There's no gay celebrities as able to draw a crowd as" - *checks notes* - "Jack Whitehall."
— Magdalene Visaggio @ FlameCon (@MagsVisaggs) August 13, 2018
Shock as actor is asked to play someone different from themselves. Isn't that kind of the point? Wouldn't always casting gay actors in gay roles be condemned for typecasting? https://t.co/tfni2m3B1P
— Wes Streeting MP (@wesstreeting) August 13, 2018
Scarlett Johansson walked so Jack Whitehall could run https://t.co/yhT2pKQ5Lk
— shauntay (@shauntae_stay) August 12, 2018
Straight people playing gay camp characters is offensive. Period. @jackwhitehall pic.twitter.com/6UNnLuktVg
— ric 🏳️🌈 (@ricardo_jpl) August 13, 2018
Just because I think the gays are overreacting to a single news item about Jack Whitehall playing gay, doesn't mean I don't care about LGBT+ representation in Hollywood, or that I would vote Trump 🙄
— Stewart Thurlow (@stewartthurlow) August 12, 2018
Just because I think the gays are overreacting to a single news item about Jack Whitehall playing gay, doesn't mean I don't care about LGBT+ representation in Hollywood, or that I would vote Trump 🙄
— Stewart Thurlow (@stewartthurlow) August 12, 2018
Why can we not all band together and hate Jack Whitehall for important reasons, like how he's not funny and incredibly annoying
— BOB (@bobviousIy) August 13, 2018
