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Ruffalo Addresses Backlash Casting Matt Bomer as Transgender Woman

Some of the outcry stems from heterosexual actors who have gone on to receive critical acclaim in recent years playing either straight or transgender roles

Mark Ruffalo took to Twitter following a wave of backlash for casting Matt Bomer as a transgender character in the upcoming film "Anything."

Bomer stars with John Carroll Lynch in the transgender drama based off a play by Timothy McNeil, who makes his feature directorial debut.

Lynch plays a man suicidal over the death of his wife who moves from Mississippi to Los Angeles. He then begins an intense friendship with Bomer’s character, a transgender sex worker, according to Variety.

But many in the transgender community were outraged that Bomer, the star of USA Networks "White Collar" who is openly gay, was chosen for the role over a transgender actor. The uproar caught the attention of Ruffalo, an executive producer on the film and who previously worked with Bomer in "The Normal Heart." Ruffalo attempted to explain and defend the casting choice.

"I feel your pain," Ruffalo tweeted. "I'm glad we're having this conversation." But despite the uproar Ruffalo said filming was already underway and the part would not be recast.

Among those tweeting their disdain for the casting choice was transgender “Sense8” actress Jamie Clayton.

At least some of the outcry appears to stem from heterosexual actors who have gone on to receive critical acclaim in recent years playing either straight or transgender roles. 

Eddie Redmayne and Jared Leto came under scrutiny from LGBT rights advocates for playing trans characters in 2015’s "The Danish Girl" and 2013’s "The Dallas Buyers Club."

Both actors received Oscar nominations for their parts; Leto took home the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in 2014.

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