Somewhere an Umbrella Academy producer is screaming into an empty bag of Doritos.
I mean, its great Eliot found himself. But were talking about an industry where getting a new hairstyle can be seen as a contract violation. Some high profile stars arent even allowed to breath wrong for fear that their insurance company will drop them if the studio sues. I wouldnt be surprised at all if Netflix doesnt just quietly cancel Umbrella Academy a few months from now. They are now in a no-win scenario. Every single choice will lead to a backlash from some other group. Forcing Eliot to play a woman and not working in a trans character? Backlash. Drastically rewriting source material to incorporate Eliot? Backlash. Recasting a trans actor? Backlash. Having Vanya living off screen? Backlash. Theres no way out.
They will obviously need to sit down and discuss what happens next but, if Page is comfortable with it, I see no reason why he couldn't play a female character. Actors act.