“Zoolander 2” is receiving a wave of backlash for its “cartoonish” portrayal of a transgender character.
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The trailer, released earlier this week became a web sensation, revealing a ridiculous montage of antics that introduce the sequel to the much loved, although controversial original.
It reads: “In the Zoolander 2 trailer, an androgynous character played by Benedict Cumberbatch is asked by Zoolander and Hansel if he is a “male or female model”, and if they ‘have a hot dog or a bun”‘.
A number of people on social media were similarly disgusted by the new character, with many calling the movie “transphobic”.
Upon meeting All, Ben Stiller’s character, Derek Zoolander, asks, “Are you like a male model or a female model?”
“Cumberbatch’s character is clearly portrayed as an over-the-top, cartoonish mockery of androgyne/trans/non-binary individuals”, wrote the petition’s creator, Sarah Rose.
Hansel, played by Owen Wilson, adds: ‘I think he’s asking do you have a hotdog or a bun?’
All then begins to giggle, only responding by saying “Oops”.
Since the trailer’s release, a petition to boycott the film has garnered over 7,500 signatures. In the clip, celebrities are suddenly dying while making Zoolander’s traditional and trademarked Blue Steel facial expression, and Interpol taps Zoolander and Hansel to help save the day.
Supermodel Andreja Pejic came out as trans past year – and her mainstream acceptance has been followed with the growing use of androgyny and trans models across the fashion world.
So far over 8,000 have signed the petition.
Paramount Pictures, Ben Stiller and Benedict Cumberbatch have yet to comment on the petition or accusations of transphobia.
Zoolander 2 is scheduled to be released on February 11, 2016.
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