Actor Justin Theroux has responded to the “Zoolander 2” boycott petition following an outcry over the film’s depiction of the transgender community.

Theroux, who also co-wrote the screenplay for the movie, spoke with The Wrap saying that he takes “great care” with the jokes in the film.

The petition stated that Benedict Cumberbatch’s character amounted to a “modern equivalent of using blackface to represent a minority.”

It also demands Paramount Pictures, the film’s principal cast members Stiller and Cumberbatch to stop mocking the LGBTQ community and asks for people to boycott the film.

With now over 21,000 signatures, Theroux said that, “I don’t even know what to make of it, because it hurts my feelings in a way.”

Signatures on the petition come from a host of countries including the US, Sweden, the UK, Canada, Portugal, Puerto Rico, France and Finland.

"People are looking for places to inject their voice. But our target is not, and never was, to disenfranchise anyone.” - Theroux

"Zoolander 2" stars Pénélope Cruz, Will Ferrell, Kristen Wiig, Ariana Grande and Owen Wilson, and is directed by Ben Stiller. The film will be released in theaters February 12th 2016.

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