Perhaps inspired by the casting of openly queer actor Ezra Miller in the title role of The Flash (set to hit the big screen in 2018), TheWrap asked a number of Hollywood’s out and prouds (plus a few allies) to weigh in on Hollywood’s recent LGBT superhero surge — both in terms of the characters themselves and the people who play them.
While the casting of gay, lesbian, or bisexual actors in superhero or villain roles is hardly novel (witness Wentworth Miller as Captain Cold on the TV version of The Flash, John Barrowman as Malcom Merlyn on Arrow, or Ian McKellen, Ellen Page, and Anna Paquin in the various X-Men movies), are audiences ready to accept an actual LGBT superhero?
Yes, says Modern Family‘s Eric Stonestreet. “If you you buy in that it’s possible there is such a thing as a superhero, you also have to buy into the fact that there are gay superheroes.”
NFL player and LGBT ally Chris Kluwe seconds that. “It shouldn’t necessarily even matter what the sexuality is of the superhero,” he says. “It should just be, like, oh, Superman wants to go home to his boyfriend — you know, Louis Lane — then that’s what Superman does.”
But have we been missing something? Have there been gay superheros all along? “Superheros are super gay,” said Queer Eye for the Straight Guy‘s Carson Kressley. “I mean — hello — Aquaman? I have so many Aquaman fantasies. Batman and Robin — the first same sex couple on television.”
As for the issue of acceptance, GLAAD’s director of entertainment media Matt Kane calls sexual and gender heterogeneity “a total non-issue” for the under-30 crowd. “We’re seeing a greater emphasis on diversity from [major comic publishers],” he told TheWrap. “I know Marvel has more female-led titles than they had before, not to mention quite a few LGBT characters.”
But as a lead? While out bi actor Andy Mientus will appear on the small screen version of The Flash as gay villain The Pied Piper, the question of whether or not openly gay good guy can drive a movie or TV remains to be seen. Still, Mientus feels that characters are moving in the right direction. “I feel really proud to take on this role,” he says. “I’m a villain and I’m powerful and I think it would be really cool if there’s some queer kid sitting at home watching me blow up cars and shit, while knowing that I am who I am in my personal life and that the character is out and happy.”
Watch more stars sounding off on the topic:
Chris
So far, this is all of these articles are just so much hot air. Get someone who is GLBT into the superhero role and let’s see what happens to sales. Once we know how the market responds, we’ll have something concrete to talk about.
Trippy
Even as kid, I thought Batman and Robin were gay (and I’m 50). And yeah, I second Carson’s thoughts on Aquaman. He was my first comic crush. It’s why I joined the swim team at the Y when I was about 12.
Daveliam
I’m not really sure what this article is asking for…. A gay superhero lead in a Hollywood movie or television show? An out gay actor playing a superhero lead in a Hollywood movie or television show? An out gay actor playing a gay superhero lead in a Hollywood movie or television show?
It also ignores the fact that the world has been ‘ready’ for gay superheroes for about twenty years now. There are, literally, dozens of gay superheroes, some of which are ‘leads’ in their series. I think at least half of the Young Avengers are LGBT.
Kieran
Confirmed bachelor Bruce Wayne living in that stylish mansion with his “young male charge”, an aunt and a British butler (but no maids of course).
Do the friggin’ math.
pewpew
Everyone here should check out The Young Avengers series. The last run which was written by Kieron Gillen and illustrated by Jamie McKelvie is one of the best comics to come out in a very, very long time. It also features a really unique gay story that I don’t think could work outside of a comic book or superhero setting. I don’t want to spoil anything but I promise it’s worth your time.
There’s also the book Hero written by Perry Moore who unfortunately left us too soon.
rmthunter
@Daveliam: Actually, only Billy (Wiccan) and Teddy (Hulkling) are openly gay — the others’ orientations are moot. But gay superheroes go back a way — Northstar is the earliest who comes to mind, and Midnighter and Apollo from Stormwatch/The Authority. There are lots of others, and some instances of characters turning out to be gay in alternate universes.
Both Marvel and DC, by the way, have lists of gay characters at their websites. (Marvel’s is somewhat inflated — lots of dupes from lots of universes.)
As for openly gay superheroes on TV or film — it’s coming, it’s just a matter of how soon. Just depends on whether some studio decides it needs a boost in revenues from an AFA boycott.
Virge
I’m not sure if the world is ready for a gay super hero but some of us are ready for and end to rehashed old stories… are you guys conserving energy by recycling?
pewpew
@rmthunter: Prodigy is bisexual and apparently Miss America came out on #12 of the most recent run. Though I think she may have been misinterpreted.
Arkansassy
Unlike the lily white Avengers, the Justice league has an Israeli woman and a Samoan man in addition to the black Cyborg. I have a feeling Ezra Miller might have been cast because he’s gay and to maybe take the character of the Flash in a new direction. Time will tell, but I hope this is true. I really like the idea of the Justice League being more representative of our own cultural diversity. Now if they could cast an Hispanic and/or Asian character the team would be complete!
Harley
what?!? Wait a minute. First I was ready Queerty then all of a sudden, I’m on a comics review blog. I must have switched over to a parallel universe where I give a sh……
misterhollywood
Yes – the world has BEEN ready for a gay superhero. So many of the superhero stories out there now have a gay theme already. The plot would not have to involve stereotypes either – it could be nicely done when you think about it. Interesting topic for sure!
Alan down in Florida
Give the audience a good story told well and they won’t give a hot damn about the sexuality of the superhero.
Saint Law
Is there anything gayer than the whole idea of ‘super heroes’?
SteveDenver
Spandex? Check!
Speedo? Check!
Sculpted Muscles? Check!
Flawless Hair? Check!
Sexy Young Sidekick? Check!
Okay, let’s launch this gay superhero thing!
Daveliam
@pewpew:
Yes. This is what I referring to as well. I think that it’s four of the group that are LGB at this point (no ‘T’, I believe).
rmthunter
@Arkansassy:In the realm of comics, The Movement (which, sadly, only ran twelve issues) is about as diverse as you can get — including two gay characters.
Also, the Teen Titans introduced Bulwark, who is Mexican, in the country illegally, and gay.
The TV series Arrow is pretty mixed racially, as is Grimm, which has a regular cast including an African-American police detective and a Chinese-American police sergeant and had one episode that was about half in Spanish, but neither has featured a gay character — yet. (Oops, take it back — Arrow hinted at a lesbian relationship for one major character.) And for anyone who likes Dr. Who spinoffs, Capt. Jack Harkness, in Torchwood, is openly gay and has a very serious affair with one of the other agents.
rmthunter
@pewpew: Right — I think I must have repressed that run — I really hated the art. In fact, I hated the whole thing.
hotshot70
Batwoman – gay
Extrano – gay
Northstar – gay