Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson under fire for playing an amputee in new movie
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson has been criticised for playing an amputee in his new film, Skyscraper.
On Monday, Katy Sullivan -- a Paralympian actress -- wrote an open letter addressed to the actor and asked him to "stop saying 'Yes' to roles like the one in that movie" -- roles that involve putting on the "mask of disability."
"Individuals with disabilities make up almost 20 per cent of the world's population," the four-time Paralympic Games champion wrote on Deadline, explaining that of the 2 per cent of characters on TV and in film who are written with disabilities, 95 per cent of the roles are taken on by able-bodied actors.
"Performers with disabilities [are] being sidelined so that able-bodied actors can 'play at' what it's like to live life with a disability," she continued. "What we lose in that is the genuine, authentic perspective."
Sullivan, who is a bilateral above knee amputee, has starred in TV shows including NCIS: New Orleans and My Name Is Earl.
She added that the lack of authenticity in films by able-bodied actors make people with disabilities "feel invisible, me included."
Johnson's character in the movie was inspired by real-life amputee Jeff Glasbrenner. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Glasbrenner "spent a lot of time" with Johnson on set to ensure Johnson's portrayal was realistic.
