Can Cis play Trans?

Earlier today (or whenever this is posted) Scarlet Johanson said that as an actor she should be allowed to play any role she can (paraphrased) as she had been turn down for the role for a trans man as she is not trans . 

I think we need to dig deeper about this. 

As someone who is non-binary, my view is that a trans actor should play a trans role , but I understand why some cis actors can play Trans roles. 

So , Why trans actors ? 

Well unfortunately the media is very white-cis-straight centred and we are just now getting representation (Co-op with a trans actor in advert and more female/ black actor leads. More diversity within movies such as Blank panther and Captain Marvel) ,however, there is still a shortage of trans actors. There is a repetition of trans roles being given to well known actors , such as Benedict cumberbatch , Jared Leto , Eddie Redmayne and now Scarlet Johansson. There is not enough representation of trans within media or movies . Sure there are transgender centred stories but no trans actors. Not only does it stop putting trans actors out of jobs but trans actors can maybe bring something personal to the role if they relate to the story as they may have a shared experience or even bring in their own experience to make movies more genuine.  Not only this but there is a large amount of Transphobia within media and probably in the movie buisness which means that the only roles that trans actors are more likely to get are trans roles. This helps them. 

However! I'm not saying that Trans people should only play Trans roles . I'm saying that they should be thought of first but I can understand why a cis person may be casted first . 

 A cis person could be casted because they are what the director is looking for . As a director they will be looking for someone to bring a role they only imagined to life. Although it may be trans a cis person may be able to bring it to life. 

Maybe there were more cis actors auditioning than trans actors or maybe no trans actors at all. 

This is when it is okay to cast cis actors . 

However, casting well known actors for trans roles because they will get people to watch the movie is not an excuse to not cast trans actors!!!