Outrage as male voice actor dubs Laverne Cox in Italian-language Promising Young Woman

Cox's character in the revenge thriller given deep voice of Roberto Pedicini, sparking backlash over European dubbing of trans actors

The Italian-language version of Emerald Fennell's revenge thriller Promising Young Woman has come under fire for giving trans actor Laverne Cox a male voice. Scheduled to hit theatres across the country on 13 May, the release has been pushed back after a clip of Una Donna Promettente was posted by Universal Pictures Italy on 6 May. In the since-restricted video, Cox's character, Gail, talks to protagonist Cassie, played by Carey Mulligan, in a distinctively masculine tone. The Orange Is the New Black star was given the deep tones of voice actor Roberto Pedicini. Italian viewers couldn't believe their ears, immediately taking to social media to voice their outrage.

I think this dubbing choice was a straight-up act of violence," Italian trans actor and voice actor Vittoria Schisano tells the Guardian. It's insulting. I'd feel bullied if I were [Cox]," she added. Schisano dubbed Cox on Netflix documentary Amend: The Fight for America, and was the Italian voice behind trans character Natalie on the latest season of Big Mouth. Her most recent project is Disney's Raya and the Last Dragon, where she voices General Atitaya. Schisano says she doesn't know any other trans voice actors in Italy and wasn't even asked to read for Cox's role in Promising Young Woman.