Benedict Cumberbatch recently opened up about his role as All, a non-binary fashion model in Zoolander 2, which he now reflects on with some regret. In an interview with Variety, Cumberbatch admitted that the character and his portrayal of All “got complicated, and it got misunderstood,” causing upset among some viewers. He mentioned that he has had to apologize for his role numerous times and noted that, with hindsight, he likely wouldn’t take on that character again.
Cumberbatch expressed his appreciation for the Zoolander 2 cast, including Ben Stiller, Will Ferrell, and Owen Wilson, and shared that he was excited to be part of such an iconic franchise. However, he acknowledged that his portrayal of All, a character that was a source of controversy at the time, was problematic, particularly with the queer community. The film faced backlash for its jokes about gender identity, which many activists criticized when the trailer was released in 2015.
Ben Stiller, who also directed and starred in the film, has previously discussed how the negative reaction to Zoolander 2 caught him off guard. He admitted in an interview that the response made him question his comedic instincts and had a lasting emotional impact.
While the film included a star-studded ensemble cast, including Penélope Cruz, Ariana Grande, Justin Theroux, and Alexander Skarsgård, it’s clear that for both Cumberbatch and Stiller, the backlash to the film’s humor remains a sensitive subject.
