15 Most Controversial Movie Moments 2016

When the trailer for comedy sequel Zoolander 2 was first released it kicked up a cloud of controversy surrounding an androgynous supermodel called All played by Benedict Cumberbatch. When stars down on their luck models Derek and Hansel (played again by Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson) first encounter the supermodel, they are confused by All’s gender asking ‘Do you have a hot dog or a bun?’ which sparked several LGBTQ activists into action who accused the film of transphobia.

An online petition set up calling for moviegoers to boycott the movie denounced it for its mocking, cartoonish stereotype of the transgender community and likened Cumberbatch’s character to the modern-day equivalent of blackface. The petition may have fallen short of its 30,000 signature goal, but Zoolander 2 got its payback in the form of critical and commercial failure. Whether it was its transphobia, that awful Justin Bieber cameo or just the fact it was plain unfunny that put moviegoers off, we’ll never know for sure.