Interview with Colton Gantt (from One Battle After Another)

In this time of Trump attacking trans and non-binary people, and even supposedly left-leaning people believing that it’s not transphobic to exclude trans women from women’s spaces, I feel it is important that films should have, when possible, some moment of trans representation. Not necessarily out of tokenism, but the feeling that representation might make the general public comfortable with the idea of trans people. It feels like not enough major studio films are doing their bit. While we have a boom in trans filmmakers like Jane Schoenbrun, Louise Weard and Vera Drew, not enough major films, I feel, are using trans characters and talent.

So, I was intrigued to learn about Paul Thomas Anderson’s latest film, One Battle After Another, in particular the performer and character of Bobo, played by newcomer Colton Gantt. Bobo is a striking figure in a deep maroon knit top paired with matching velour sweatpants and a multicoloured headscarf, and is identified as non-binary. I must admit I was disappointed to learn that the actor identifies as a cis man, but as someone who believes in gender fluidity for all (I feel ‘gender abolition’ is a term hijacked by disingenuous TERFs who we should no longer attempt to appease), I was interested to talk to the actor about their performance. In particular, similar to the male actors who played hijras in Dev Patel’s Monkey Man, he has found himself representing a vulnerable minority. The 24-year-old Humboldt County, CA local is now a poster child for trans teens.

On how he got the role, Gantt tells me, “I originally responded to an open call looking for background actors but was chosen to be given a speaking role.”

I was intrigued as to how he approached playing a non-binary character. “At first it was a little different, but once I got comfortable, it was fun to play the role of someone who’s the complete opposite of who I am.” Gantt elaborates – “I had auditioned for the role of Bluto, and was later given the role of Bobo.”

The fact that Gantt found himself thrust into playing a non-binary character at relatively short notice was one I found daunting. I felt parallels with the Indonesian bit-part actors who played some of the Hijras in Dev Patel’s Monkey Man, who have now become loved and worshipped as the face of a community and ethnicity they aren’t even part of.

I wondered how Gantt felt wearing his character’s clothes, as he looks so natural channelling his inner boho girl. I was curious to know if he felt like he would wear those clothes in his civilian life. “Not really, wasn’t really my style on a day-to-day basis. I’m more of a street wear/ casual dressed kind of person.”

I was curious how Gantt discovered the style of the character. “They explained the character as David Bowie with fun colours. I did go through different costumes at first, maybe went through 4 different outfits, till we found one that worked. There was a long green dress, and multiple different kinds of pants until we landed on the velour sweats.” As for the headscarf. “We figured out the headscarf along the way. It came out of a lot of experimenting with textures, layers, what felt authentic. It gave Bobo this sense of protection and identity at the same time.”

On being chosen over trans and non-binary actors, Gantt admits, “I thought about it. There are many talented non-binary and transfemme actors out there. I just tried to approach the role with respect and do justice to what the story was trying to say. I get why people feel that way (that a trans actor could have been cast). I just focused on playing Bobo honestly and respectfully. That was my priority.”

I wondered how much research he did and if he spoke to any trans or non-binary people to prepare for the role. “Not necessarily, most of my findings were done online. I honestly don’t remember, it was mainly just a lot of looking at other movies where there are non-binary characters.”

I was somewhat chastened when he told me that he took influence from fictional non-binary characters (including Liz Taylor, the trans woman played by Denis O’Hare in American Horror Story), but as someone who, in their trans learning curve, modelled themselves on trans characters played by cis men (because it felt easier than actual trans women), I found that kind of relatable.

One thing I wondered about was Gantt’s fear that as a cis man playing a middle-aged man’s idea of a non-binary youth, did he feel like he might be perpetuating what certain right-wing contrarians call the ‘homophobic middle-class straight kid’ caricature of non-binary people.

“I completely understand how people could feel protective of that representation. Non-binary and trans actors absolutely deserve more roles. In this case, I trusted Paul and the team’s vision, and I approached the character with as much respect and authenticity as I could. My hope is that it comes across as sincere, not mocking.”

When I mentioned that Gantt may have underestimated how important his character is, in the age of right-wingers like Trump and even some supposedly leftist figures attacking trans people, he adds, “Yes, I feel like this film couldn’t have been released at a better time. It really feeds into what is going on right now.”

I did point out to Colton that people are going to think he is non-binary now. “Yeah, I’ve seen a few people say that! I’m not non-binary myself, but I think it’s great that people are seeing layers in Bobo. That’s what makes acting fun when people interpret it differently.”

I felt that, while I believe non-trans actors can play trans roles, I feel that there needs to be a commitment not just to the character, but to actually supporting actual trans people. Too many people who’ve written or portrayed trans characters in a positive (if awkward) manner have gone down the rabbit hole of conspiracy theories about ‘the erasure of women and gays’, and especially given the contemporary political climate in the US and the UK, I feel that those who do play trans characters need to almost become auxiliary members of the community that, by playing those roles, have temporarily become part of. And although there has been criticism over the character’s story journey, I feel it is important we paint trans characters as imperfect.

On the character, Gantt finally muses, “Playing Bobo was such a unique experience because they exist in this space where gender feels fluid and playful, so I never really thought of them strictly as “she” or “he.” In my opinion, Bobo is fully nonbinary, but in a way that’s joyful and experimental rather than defined by rules—like they’re having fun exploring identity instead of needing a label. Seeing myself as Bobo on set was fascinating; I didn’t feel like I was imagining myself as a girl or anyone else, but more like stepping into a character who embodies freedom and creativity with gender, someone who’s confident and comfortable just being themselves.”