Disney cast straight actor to play its first openly gay role and it went down about as well as you'd expect

A straight actor will play the first major openly gay character in a Disney film, according to a report from The Sun.

Jack Whitehall, a British comic, will reportedly star alongside Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson and Emily Blunt in new blockbuster Jungle Cruise.

Whitehall plays a "gay man - one who is hugely effete, very camp and very funny," a source reportedly said.

The script, set in the 19th century, when it wasn't socially acceptable to be gay, is based on Disneyland's theme park ride of the same name where a boat takes riders through a dangerous jungle.

Jack Whitehall confirmed he was set to feature in the film via Instagram, although he did not make mention to the sexuality or mannerisms of his character.

The backlash has been major, with many pointing out that gay actors struggle to find mainstream work.

Representation of real LGBT+ people matters just as much as creating LGBT+ characters.

It's not as if there were no gay actors about.

It seems we've got another Scarlett Johansson on our hands.

indy100 has contacted Disney for comment.

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