Hilary Swank reveals it would be a 'great opportunity' for a trans actor to play her Oscar

Release time：2024-05-07 16:42:04 Source：Earth Edges news portal

Hilary Swank revealed that she hopes a trans actor would take on her role in Boys Don't Cry if the film was made today.

The Million Dollar Baby actress, 49 - who recently opened up about becoming a mother to twins - reflected on the Oscar-winning indie film during an interview with The Times of London.

In the biographical movie - which also starred Chloe Sevigny and Peter Sarsgaard -  Swank notably took on the role of a transgender man named Brandon Teena. Her performance later won her an Academy Award for Best Actress. 

However, while talking to the publication, the star shared that it would be a 'great opportunity' for a trans actor to play the role. 

'Now for the most part, in most places, it's accepted to be a trans person. [But] at that time, people weren't even coming out as gay and lesbian, it was a career killer, or whatever,' she explained. 

Hilary Swank, 49, revealed that she hopes a trans actor would take on her role in Boys Don't Cry if the film was made today; seen in February in L.A. 

In the biographical movie - which also starred Chloe Sevigny and Peter Sarsgaard - Swank notably took on the role of a transgender man named Brandon Teena (seen above). Her performance later won her an Academy Award for Best Actress

'They weren't ready to tell their family, or maybe they weren't even ready to tell themselves.' 

Hilary continued, 'We're in such different times - I feel like it would be a great opportunity for an actor who's trans to play that role.' 

'But I also feel like actors are actors. We are supposed to play different people and I would like to hope trans people are getting the opportunity to play non-trans people as well.' 

In regards to the film's message and lasting impact, Swank said, 'It was a jumping-off board to start a conversation that was needed, and we need this conversation to continue until everyone's leading a safe life.' 

'I like those transformative roles, the collaborative process of getting to that point, whether it's with the hair and make-up people or a trainer, or whether it's just walking in someone else's shoes who is so different from me physically.' 

The mother-of-two added, 'It allows me to see the world in different ways. I'd be up for a role like that again, but they're so few and far between.' 

Boys Don't Cry was released in 1999, and received critical acclaim, as well as numerous award nominations. 

While Hilary won the Oscar for Best Actress, her co-star Chloe Sevigny had also been nominated for Best Supporting Actress. 

Hilary continued, 'We're in such different times - I feel like it would be a great opportunity for an actor who's trans to play that role; seen in February in NYC 

In regards to the film's message and lasting impact, Swank said, 'It was a jumping-off board to start a conversation that was needed, and we need this conversation to continue until everyone's leading a safe life'

The premise of the film follows, 'A young man named Brandon Teena navigates love, life, and being transgender in rural Nebraska,' per IMDB, but falls victim to a brutal hate crime. 

Back in 2020, Swank previously talked about a trans actor taking on the role of Brandon during an interview with Variety. 

'I mean, trans people weren't really walking around in the world saying, "Hey, I'm trans,"' she explained while reflecting on the time when the movie was filmed. 

'Twenty one years later, not only are trans people having their lives and living, thankfully, [although] we still have a long way to go in their safety and and their inclusivity...' 

'But we now have a bunch of trans actors who would obviously be a lot more right for the role and have the opportunity to actually audition for the role.' 

Hilary is known for taking on other roles throughout her career, such as Clint Eastwood's Million Dollar Baby (2004). She also won an Oscar for Best Actress for her role as Maggie. 

While talking to The Hollywood Reporter in 2019, Swank discussed how Boys Don't Cry changed the way she chooses roles in the industry. 

Back in 2020, Swank previously talked about a trans actor taking on the role of Brandon during an interview with Variety

While talking to The Hollywood Reporter in 2019, Swank discussed how Boys Don't Cry changed the way she chooses roles in the industry; seen in 2022 in NYC 

'I play a lot of real people because I am drawn to these stories of people who have really persevered or people who are living their life unapologetically. Those are the type of people who inspire me.' 

'Yet there is a lot of them in the end who die. So, there is a certain amount of hardship and heartbreak that comes with that.' 

She added, 'Your heart never completely mends the same. You always carry these people and their beautiful spirits within your heart. They are all a piece of me. I think I am a better person because of it.' 

Hilary has been keeping busy after welcoming her twins - a boy and a girl - last year in April at the age of 48. 

Hilary has been keeping busy after welcoming her twins - a boy and a girl - last year in April at the age of 48

At the time, she also opened up about motherhood while appearing on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon. 'It is the best in the whole wide world'

She shares the little ones with husband, Philip Schneider - whom she tied the knot with in 2018.

Earlier this year on Valentine's Day, Swank revealed that she had named her children Aya and Ohm. 

At the time, she also opened up about motherhood while appearing on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon. 'It is the best in the whole wide world.' 

'It's more joy and more fun and more exhausting - it's more everything than I ever thought it would be. It's more glorious. It's the most extraordinary thing.' 

Related articles