The film is “in the can,” as they say in Hollywood, meaning production has wrapped on Anything, the new Matt Bomer film in which he plays a transgender sex worker, living next door to a newly widowed man from Mississippi. And actor Mark Ruffalo — who worked with Bomer on The Normal Heart — is responding to online criticism that a cisgender actor was cast instead of a transgender actor.

Ruffalo doubled as executive producer on the film and took responsibility for the casting on Twitter:

In all honesty I suggested Matt for the role after the profound experience I had with him while making "The Normal Heart". — Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) August 31, 2016

That was a followup tweet to this one, in which he acknowledged that he was now aware of the hurt the casting caused:

To the Trans community. I hear you. It's wrenching to you see you in this pain. I am glad we are having this conversation. It's time. — Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) August 31, 2016

Both Bomer and Ruffalo have been hit hard on social media ever since Variety broke the news earlier in the week about the casting.

.@MarkRuffalo lip service to the trans community but when actually money and a job is involved — he hires a cis guy pic.twitter.com/OBcUAMOX2b — Trans Hollywood (@transhollywood) August 28, 2016

To critics who called for the part to be recast and the film, reshot, Ruffalo was kind but firm:

The movie is already shot and Matt poured his heart and soul into this part. Please have a little compassion. We are all learning. — Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) August 31, 2016

One of those looking to help Ruffalo learn is trans writer, actress, filmmaker and activist Jen Richards, who auditioned for another part in the film but wasn’t chosen. She tweeted extensively this week about why the casting matters and was one of the first to thank Ruffalo for addressing the controversy.

Thank you @MarkRuffalo, this means a lot. I would love to talk to you about it, and how to move forward positively. https://t.co/tYOHdlHn2W — Jen Richards (@SmartAssJen) August 31, 2016

Bomer has not responded via social media.