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Scarlett Johansson is one of the few actors in Hollywood, male or female, that can get a film produced just on their name alone. If Johansson signs up for a film, and agrees to help produce it, then suddenly there are a ton of studios that are interested. It appears that’s the case with the film “Rub & Tug.” Without her involvement, the film seems to be falling apart.

A couple weeks ago, we found out that Johansson would star and produce in a biopic about Pittsburgh crime boss Dante Tex Gill. The film would have seen the actress play the part of a trans man who ran a ring of illicit massage parlors and a steroids empire in the ‘70s. However, the backlash came quick and hard, with LGBTQ actors, actresses, and groups coming out against her casting, calling it problematic. It didn’t help that she was teaming with director Rupert Sanders, who helmed the other controversial film starring Johansson, “Ghost in the Shell.”

Johansson recently pulled out of the project, with a statement saying, “In light of recent ethical questions raised surrounding my casting as Dante Tex Gill, I have decided to respectfully withdraw my participation in the project.” And according to The Wrap, since her departure from the project, there’s no guarantee that the story will be told, at all.

The report says that it “doesn’t look good for the movie,” meaning the project might just die altogether without Johansson’s involvement. As sad as it is to see an interesting story like Gill’s not get the proper treatment, this shows that the actress’ name was the biggest selling factor. And yes, it would appear that Johansson did the right thing and pulled out of the film. However, in doing so, it appears that she doomed the entire production, for better or worse.

The Wrap says Sanders is still attached to direct, but without Johansson’s involvement, it’s likely not enough to move forward.