In light of recent ethical questions raised surrounding my casting as Dante Tex Gill, I have decided to respectfully withdraw my participation in the project. Our cultural understanding of transgender people continues to advance, and I’ve learned a lot from the community since making my first statement about my casting and am grateful that the conversation regarding inclusivity in Hollywood continues. According to GLAAD, LGBTQ+ characters dropped 40% from 2017 from the previous year, with no representation of trans characters in any major studio release. While I would have loved the opportunity to bring Dante’s story and transition to life, I understand why many feel he should be portrayed by a transgender person, and I am thankful that this casting debate, albeit controversial, has sparked a larger conversation about diversity and representation in film. I believe that all artists should be considered equally and fairly. My production company, These Pictures, actively pursues projects that both entertain and push boundaries. We look forward to working with every community to bring these most poignant and important stories to audiences worldwide.

EXCLUSIVE: Golden Globe winner Maggie Gyllenhaal has teamed with Pie Films to acquire film rights to author Elena Ferrante’s novel The Lost Daughter, for which Gyllenhaal will write, produce, and make her first directorial outing. Talia Kleinhendler and Osnat Handelsman-Keren of Pie Films will produce alongside Gyllenhaal. The three previously partnered on The Kindergarten Teacher, which premiered at Sundance this year and will be released October 12 on Netflix.