Game of Thrones star Kit Harrington is wondering why there’s never been a gay actor in a Marvel movie.
While talking to Variety at the Toronto International Film Festival, Harrington shared the sentiment that he would like more gay talent in high profile roles.
“There’s a big problem with masculinity and homosexuality that they can’t somehow go hand in hand,” Harington said. “That we can’t have someone in a Marvel movie who’s gay in real life and plays some super hero. I mean, when is that going to happen?”
Harrington is at the Toronto Film Festival to promote his latest film “The Death and Life of John F. Donovan.” The movie follows closeted American TV star John F. Donovan who befriended a young man before later passing away.
In a way, this film is the culmination of the topic of gay film stars struggling in the toxic atmosphere of Hollywood. For instance, Justice League and Wizarding World star Ezra Miller was told by friends and colleagues not to come out as queer as it would ruin his chances of becoming a leading man.
“I won’t specify,” he told them, “[But] I was told by a lot of people I’d made a mistake.
“Folks in the industry, folks outside of the industry. People I’ve never spoken to. They said there’s a reason so many gay, queer, gender-fluid people in Hollywood conceal their sexual identity, or their gender identity in their public image.”
“I was told I had done a “silly” thing in… thwarting my own potential to be a leading man.”
In another case, model and YouTuber Zander Hodgson shared after coming out that there is a hostile atmosphere in Hollywood when it comes to gay talent. He says Hollywood is “not very welcoming to gay actors.”
“I don’t think there are many opportunities out there for gay men to play straight roles,” he added.
That said, “The Death and Life of John F. Donovan” co-star Thandie Newton also spoke up about the issue to Variety and shared a different perspective.
Newton mentioned the world of sports and shared how there has been considerable change in that region. Newton spoke on how more and more athletes seem to be coming out these days.
“It is changing, but we have to get behind those changes and keep pushing it,” Newton said.
That said, film director Xavier Doland bought back the point that actors have a harder time working in the industry after they’ve come out. There’s still work that needs to be done, he said.
h/t: Variety
Dougeebear, although, you are
Dougeebear, although, you are correct, ONE example does not negate the rampant discrimination against openly gay/lesbian/bi/trans/queer performers that goes on in Hollywood today. Even though openly queer (gay?) Ezra Miller has been cast as the movie Flash, please note that his movie keeps getting pushed back. I wonder if producers hope that if they keep doing that, he'll drop out and they can cast someone more palatable (i.e. unabashedly heterosexual). This issue won't be put to rest until mainstream movie makers regularly start casting openly gay actors in hetero-normative roles. Like maybe casting Luke Evans as James Bond or Jussie Smollett in a popular Rom-Com or Matthew Bomer in a leading role for a blockbuster movie.
While I applaud the sentiment
While I applaud the sentiment, Mr. Harrington is uninformed. Ian McKellan is gay, out, and appears in the X-Men franchise.
So, ummm, one example means
So, ummm, one example means he is uninformed?