Bryan Cranston defends playing disabled character in The Upside: ‘Actors play other people’
The actor was responding to the debate over Hollywood stars taking roles away from minority groups
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Your support makes all the difference.Bryan Cranston has defended playing a disabled character in his new film following the continued debate over actors taking roles away from minorities.
The Breaking Bad star, who appears in The Upside as a wheelchair-bound billionaire, described his casting as a “business decision”, adding that an actor’s job is to play other people.
He told Press Association: “We live in the world of criticism, if we’re willing to get up and try something, we have to also be willing to take criticism. We’re very aware of the need to expand the opportunities for people with disabilities.
“I think being cast in this role as a quadriplegic really came down to a business decision. As actors, we’re asked to be other people, to play other people. If I, as a straight, older person, and I’m wealthy, I’m very fortunate, does that mean I can’t play a person who is not wealthy. Does that mean I can’t play a homosexual?“
Cranston stars in the film – a remake of 2011 French comedy The Intouchables – alongside Kevin Hart. It’s based on the life of businessman Philippe Pozzo di Borgo.
Diversity in the film industry is a hot topic, with The Assassination of Gianni Versace Golden Globe-winner Darren Criss – a straight actor – recently ruling out playing another gay character for fear of depriving an LGBT performer of a job.
Last year, Scarlett Johansson pulled out of film Rub & Tug following a backlash over her casting as a trans character.
Cranston described the situation as a “case of catch 22” and said there needs to be “more opportunities” for disabled actors.
His co-star Hart said the film’s producers were looking for “box office success”, adding Cranston’s performance generates debate about the lack of opportunities for minority and marginalised groups.
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To prepare for the role, Hart spent time with carers to gain an insight into how to look after a quadriplegic person.
Hart was named as host of the 2019 Academy Awards but withdrew in December after decade-old tweets reemerged in which he made offensive comments about the LGBT community.
The Upside will be released in UK cinemas on 11 January.
Additional reporting by Agencies
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