Hilary Swank revealed that she hopes a trans actor would take on her role in Boys Don’t Cry if the film were 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 film – which also starred Chloe Sevigny and Peter Sarsgaard – Swank notably took on the role of a transgender man named Brandon Teena. Her performance later earned her an Academy Award for Best Actress.
However, while speaking 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 didn’t even come out as gay or lesbian, it was a career killer or whatever,” she explained.
Hilary Swank, 49, revealed that she hopes a trans actor would take her role in Boys Don’t Cry if the film were made today; seen in February in LA
In the biopic – 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 earned her an Academy Award for Best Actress
“They weren’t ready to tell their families, or maybe they weren’t even ready to tell themselves.”
Hilary continued, “We are in such different times. I think it would be a great opportunity for an actor who is transgender to play that role.”
‘But I also feel like actors are actors. We are meant to play other people and I hope that transgender people get the opportunity to play non-transgender people as well.”
Regarding the film’s message and lasting impact, Swank said, “It was a springboard to start a conversation that was needed, and we must continue this conversation until everyone is living a safe life.”
“I love those transformational roles, the collaborative process of getting to that point, whether it’s with the hair and makeup people or a trainer, or just walking in the shoes of someone else who is so physically different from I.’
The mother of two added: ‘It allows me to see the world in different ways. I would love to play a role like that again, but they are so few and far between.”
Boys Don’t Cry was released in 1999 to critical acclaim, as well as numerous nominations.
While Hilary won the Oscar for Best Actress, her co-star Chloe Sevigny was also nominated for Best Supporting Actress.
Hilary continued, “We are in such different times. I think it would be a great opportunity for a transgender actor to play that role; seen in February in NYC
Regarding the film’s message and lasting impact, Swank said, “It was a springboard to start a conversation that was needed, and we must continue this conversation until everyone is living a safe life.”
The premise of the film is: “A young man named Brandon Teena navigates love, life and being transgender in rural Nebraska,” he says. IMDB, but becomes the victim of a brutal hate crime.
In 2020, Swank previously spoke about a trans actor taking on the role of Brandon during an interview with Variety.
“I mean, trans people didn’t really walk around in the world saying, ‘Hey, I’m trans,'” she explained as she reflected on when the film was shot.
“Twenty-one years later, transgender people not only have their lives and are living, happily, [although] we still have a long way to go in terms of their safety and their inclusiveness…’
“But we now have a bunch of trans actors who would clearly be much more suited to the role and have the ability 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 you’re talking to The Hollywood Reporter in 2019, Swank discussed how Boys Don’t Cry changed the way she chooses roles in the industry.
In 2020, Swank previously spoke about a trans actor taking on the role of Brandon during an interview with Variety
While speaking 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’m drawn to the stories of people who have really persevered or people who live their lives unapologetically. Those are the kind of people who inspire me.’
‘Yet in the end many of them die. So there is a certain amount of hardship and heartbreak that comes with that.”
She added: “Your heart never recovers quite the same. You will always carry these people and their beautiful spirits in your heart. They are all a part of me. I think it makes me a better person.”
Hilary has been busy after welcoming her twins, a boy and a girl, last April at the age of 48.
Hilary has been busy after welcoming her twins, a boy and a girl, last April at the age of 48
At the time, she also opened up about motherhood when she appeared on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon. ‘It’s the best in the whole 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 performing The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. ‘It’s the best in the world.’
“It’s more joy, more fun and more exhausting – it’s more everything than I ever imagined. It’s more glorious. It’s the most special thing.’