"I understand why you might want to get defensive as a person," he said. "I can even understand why some white people might feel like they're under attack in and around these conversations.
"But I think what's often lost is when Scarlett goes, 'I should be allowed to play an animal or a tree or anything,' and it's like, yes, but that's exactly what people are saying: For so long, Hollywood and the people who define storytelling in America have defined it as stories to be told for and by white people. And so the roles that have generally been reserved for black people have been the stereotype of criminal, maid, slave. That's pretty much it."
Noah added that Johansson failed to acknowledge she had the "luxury" to play anyone, while actors of colour are often forced into playing stereotypes.
Johansson clarified her comments earlier this week, saying: "The question I was answering in my conversation with the contemporary artist, David Salle, was about the confrontation between political correctness and art. I personally feel that, in an ideal world, any actor should be able to play anybody and art, in all forms, should be immune to political correctness."
