Two decades after her Oscar-winning performance in Boys Don’t Cry as Brandon Teena, actress Hilary Swank has reflected on the role and addressed whether she would take on the transgender role now. Swank shared her view on the evolving understanding of transgender issues, stating that she would not consider starring in the movie now. In a recent interview, Swank discussed the significant changes in attitudes towards transgender people since the film's 2000 release, which depicted the real-life story of a transgender man murdered in a hate crime.
Swank acknowledged the shift in perspective regarding who should portray transgender characters in film. She noted that it is now widely accepted for trans actors to play trans roles, highlighting the progress in societal acceptance. Swank also expressed the belief that actors should have the freedom to portray diverse characters, including those outside their own gender identity.
