Jack Whitehall To Play Disney's First Openly Gay Character

Comedian Jack Whitehall has been announced to star in The Jungle Cruise , as Disney's first openly gay character.

Whitehall will play the brother of Emily Blunt in the film, which also stars Dwayne Johnson. A source told The Sun that his character would be “hugely effete, very camp and very funny". The film is reportedly based on the popular Disneyland ride of the same name, where travellers can take a journey through a jungle.

However there have been mixed reactions to the news.

Whilst some have heralded the news as a great advancement for LGBT representation, others have said that the casting of a straight man for a gay role is "a problem".

If you’re one of the people who ‘doesn’t see the big deal’ RE Jack Whitehall, a straight white male cast as the first openly gay Disney character then you’re part of the problem 💁🏼‍♀️

— NOLE KSUM (@ClionaLou) August 13, 2018

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

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

Straight people playing gay camp characters is offensive. Period. @jackwhitehall pic.twitter.com/6UNnLuktVg

— ric 🏳️‍🌈 (@ricardo_jpl) August 13, 2018

Other Disney fans don't see the issue, saying that a straight playing an LGBT role is just part of being an actor.

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

The while point of acting is to convey the character you're being asked to play with as much conviction as possible, being a gay man playing a gay character would aide that immensely.

— Jeff Barnaby (@tripgore) August 13, 2018

Disney haven't been forthcoming with their LGBT representation in the past.

Last year, 'Beauty and the Beast' was the first reference to same-sex love, when LeFou was depicted as harbouring romantic feelings for Gaston. He is then seen dancing (very briefly) with another man at the end of the film.