The director of biopic The Danish Girl has said he hopes the film helps “encourage” marginalised trans people.

Oscar winning actor Eddie Redmayne is taking on the role of 1920s transgender pioneer Lili Elbe for the upcoming film, helmed by director Tom Hooper.



The pair previously worked together on Les Miserables – which is where Redmayne said he first heard about the project.

The actor told reporters: “It’s been a long project in the making – the producers have been working on it for 15 years.

“I was given the script when I was making Les Miserables three or four years ago, so I committed to this before I even read [previous Oscar-winning film] Theory of Everything.

“Frankly people getting to see it means everything to us, and any buzz that encourages people to see it is a good thing.”

Director Tom Hooper told the BBC that he hopes the film contributes to the awarness of trans issues.

He said: “Lili was so courageous to go through that [surgery] process at a time before antibiotics. The risks were incredibly high, one can only imagine the pain she was in.



“I hope it encourages other people who might feel marginalised because of their gender identity, to take inspiration from her extraordinary story.”

He added: “What inspired me is it’s a fantastic love story – it’s as much story about a partner supporting someone going through a transition and the love that allowed this to change.

“It’s so forgiving, so compassionate and selfless.”



The film has come into criticism from some trans campaigners for casting Redmayne in the role and not a trans woman.

Hooper previously admitted that the industry must do more.

He said: “Access to trans actors, women and men, to roles, both trans roles and cisgender roles, is utterly key, and I feel that within the industry at the moment there is a problem.

“There is a huge pool of talented trans actors and the access to parts is limited.

“I would champion any shift where the industry could move forward and embrace trans actors in trans and cisgender roles and also celebrate and encourage trans filmmakers.”

Watch the film’s trailer below:

