VENICE, Italy (AP) – Eddie Redmayne is perfect casting for “The Danish Girl,” in all respects but one.
His character, Lili Elbe, was born Einar Wegener in 19th-century Denmark and became one of the first people to undergo gender reassignment surgery. Redmayne is an acclaimed, Academy Award-winning actor – but he’s not a transgender woman, and some trans activists have expressed unease at his casting in the historically important role.
Director Tom Hooper acknowledged Saturday that the film industry has “a problem” including transgender actors.
“There is a huge pool of talented trans actors and the access to parts is limited,” Hooper told reporters at the Venice Film Festival, where “The Danish Girl” is getting its world premiere.
Hooper said there are two transgender actors in the film, both in non-trans roles. But for the lead, he never wanted anyone other than Redmayne, with whom he worked on big-screen musical “Les Miserables.”