Jungle Cruise, the upcoming film starring Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt, will reportedly feature Disney’s first openly gay character. While that’s progress for sure, there is some criticism over the casting of the role.

On Sunday, a report in the U.K. tabloid the Sun said that the role British comedian and actor Jack Whitehall, 30, is playing in the movie based on Disneyland’s theme park ride and set in the 19th century is “a gay man — one who is hugely effete, very camp and very funny,” according to a source. “This latest script, set at a time when it wasn’t socially acceptable to be gay, is another significant turning point.”

Jack Whitehall, pictured at the BRIT Awards in February, landed a role in the upcoming film Jungle Cruise, and he will reportedly be playing an openly gay character. (Photo: Tolga Akmen/AFP/Getty Images) More

And while it’s definitely a turning point, there’s criticism online over casting an actor in the role who isn’t gay.

Really @Disney #JungleCruise ? Your first significant gay role will be played by a straight white man perpetuating stereotypes? Fail! This ship should sink. https://t.co/npPESNZaxD — Omar Sharif Jr. (@OmarSharifJr) August 13, 2018





It’s not that it’s a problem to cast a fantastic straight ally to play a gay role, it’s that there are so many gay actors that are under represented in all sorts of roles across the board… and so I think that this is, fantastic, but also a bit sad 😔 #JungleCruise — James Barr 🏳️‍🌈 (@imjamesbarr) August 13, 2018





Jack Whitehall playing gay for laughs is NOT the progress we need — Hazza (@Clarkhf) August 12, 2018





Such a dam shame it’s so hard to find gay actors to play gay roles in hollywood 🙄. Do better @disney @jackwhitehall https://t.co/QUQ3qbb8NZ — Chris Salvatore (@CSalvatore) August 12, 2018





Was really excited for @JungleCruise but hearing that @jackwhitehall will be doing the usual straight-man-plays-camp-gay-man act has put me off big time. To be queer is NOT a punchline. 😣 — g (@eightlegsright) August 13, 2018





I’m actually devastated about the casting of @jackwhitehall in a “gay” role for @Disney. HIRE A GAY ACTOR! How is this happening STILL? I completely blame both parties and am disgusted and upset with both — Samuel Billett (@TheErmintrude) August 13, 2018





Absolutely LOVE Jack Whitehall but could they seriously not pick someone actually gay? https://t.co/CclBS0KA8J — Maria (@marialoizouu) August 13, 2018





Though many also wondered whether an actor’s sexual orientation should matter when it comes to casting a role.

Shock as actor is asked to play someone different from themselves. Isn’t that kind of the point? Wouldn’t always casting gay actors in gay roles be condemned for typecasting? https://t.co/tfni2m3B1P — Wes Streeting MP (@wesstreeting) August 13, 2018





Are you kidding? It’s “acting” – why does his sexuality matter??? https://t.co/dbAkqBohpQ — KERRIE COSH (@kjcoshy) August 13, 2018





Outrage that Jack Whitehall is playing a gay. Does this mean criminals have to be played by criminals? — Adrian Emming (@Adezilla1) August 13, 2018





People complaining about Jack Whitehall being cast as Disney's first openly gay character 'despite being straight', is like complaining that Mike Myers isn't really an Ogre. — Joel Cotterall (@Jjcotterall) August 13, 2018





More than one person pointed to the backlash over Scarlett Johansson playing a transgender character in the film Rub and Tug. She eventually pulled out of the project.

If Scarlett Johansson wasn’t allowed to play a trans man then Jack Whitehall shouldn’t be allowed to play a gay man. Especially so when you consider there are absolute hundreds of out gay men in Hollywood who are better actors than him — Sophie WilkINson (@sophwilkinson) August 13, 2018



