"Zoolander 2" news reported how Justin Theroux slammed accusations that their movie promotes transphobia. In an interview featured by People, the film's co-writer finally addressed the controversy surrounding actor Benedict Cumberbatch's transgender character.
The movie trailer released last month introduced the "Sherlock" actor's character: a gender-ambiguous model named Ali. A petition to boycott the movie was released after viewers said the portrayal mocked transgender people.
The petition currently has over 21,000 supporters. As one of the film's creators, Justin Theroux admitted that he is offended by the complaints.
"I don't even know what to make of it, because it hurts my feelings in a way," the 44-year-old said.
"I take great care of the jokes I write, and the umbrage being taken is out of the context of the scene."
"I wish people would see the movie first," he added.
The husband of actress Jennifer Aniston also clarified that the movie should not be taken too seriously.
"Satire is a thing that points out the idiots," Justin Theroux said.
Entertainment Weekly recently detailed the petition against "Zoolander 2," which made news after it was pushed by a certain Sarah rose.
"In the Zoolander 2 trailer, an androgynous character played by Benedict Cumberbatch is asked by Zoolander and Hansel if he is a 'male or female model,' and if they 'have a hot dog or a bun,'" the petitioner pointed out.
"Additionally, Cumberbatch's character is clearly portrayed as an over-the-top, cartoonish mockery of androgyne/trans/non-binary individuals."
"This is the modern equivalent of using blackface to represent a minority," the petitioner added.
Apart from its transphobia controversy, Deadline reported how "Zoolander 2" also made news after it gathered the most number of views for any comedy trailer.
With more than 52 million clicks on its first week, the Ben Stiller starrer bested trailers of other comedy films such as "Dumb and Dumber," "22 Jump Street," "Hangover 3," "Ride Along 2," "Anchorman 2" and "Trainwreck."
