Benedict Cumberbatch admitted that his widely panned role in Zoolander 2 backfired. In 2001, Paramount Pictures released the fashion comedy Zoolander.
The film became a hit with viewers for its outlandish portrayal of the modelling industry. Fifteen years later, a star-studded sequel to the Ben Stiller led film was announced.
The movie featured an array of A-list actors, including Penelope Cruz and Cumberbatch, with the latter cast as non-binary model All.
After the trailer’s release, LGBTQ+ advocates drafted up a petition boycotting the film. “Cumberbatch’s character is clearly portrayed as an over-the-top, cartoonish mockery of androgyne/trans/non-binary individuals.