Photo: Mike Coppola/Getty
Elliot Pageis speaking out about transgender hiring and representation on screen. Whether that means signing on for a trans role or playing a cisgender character, he believes he should be able to do it all.
The Umbrella Academystar, who transitioned in 2020, laid out his thoughts on how trans actors' work can be perceived — versus how theyshould— in a piece forEsquire. In short, he just wants to act.
“I think when people say, ‘Oh, he’ll want to play cis male characters now,’ the sensation I get is that the subtext is: They think that would be an accomplishment for me,” wrote Page, 35. “Versus: I’m trans, I’m queer, and Iwantto playthoseroles.”
Addressing the notion that playing a trans character would be “typecasting,” Page says that playing true to type isn’t simply limiting — it can lend authenticity to a performance.
“When I get asked, ‘Are you worried about getting typecast?’ You wouldn’t say toJ-LaworRooney Maraor someone, are they worried about getting typecast as cis straight women?”
Still, Page sees room for growth in Hollywood. “But at the same time, of course I want a space where trans people are getting cast as cis characters. Ofcourse.”
Elliot Page.Rich Polk/Getty
Page is best known for his roles in filmsJuno,InceptionandX-Men: Days of Future Past. On the next season ofThe Umbrella Academy, he will be re-introduced asViktor Hargreeves, one of a handful of people born with the potential to save the world.
In theEsquireessay, Page discussed about the importance of the role in his life. “I love makingThe Umbrella Academy,“he said. “I’ve learned how special it is to play one character for so long, to evolve with a family of characters.”
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Season 3 ofThe Umbrella Academypremieres June 22 on Netflix.
source: people.com
