'Zoolander 2'co-writer Justin Theroux hurt by transgender petition

Responding to the controversy surrounding Benedict Cumberbatch's character in the upcoming flick 'Zoolander 2', film's co-writer Justin Theroux has said the scene was taken out of context and it was meant as a satire.

In an interview, the 40-year-old actor said he pens jokes with great care and before coming to any conclusions people should watch the film first, adding that the criticism over Cumberbatch's character has hurt his feelings, the People magazine reports.

'The Leftovers' actor added, "Satire is a thing that points out the idiots, and we went through it on Tropic Thunder with the R-word."

The trailer of the highly anticipated film was dropped last month and scene showing the 39-year-old actor as an androgynous supermodel sparked backlash and a proposed boycott of the film.

As per sources, a petition to boycott the film has garnered 21,000 signatures, with signees claiming the film is harmful and dangerous to the trans community.

It is not the first time when Theroux is being criticised for his writing, earlier too, in 2008 he was slammed by a group of protesters who objected to Robert Downey Jr.'s repeated use of the word 'retard in the film 'Tropic Thunder', which he had co-written.