Billy Eichner roasts Disney over Buzz Lightyear gay kiss fiasco
Billy Eichner throws shade at Disney over Buzz Lightyear prequel same-sex kiss drama (Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for CinemaCon/Disney)
Billy Eichner expertly mocked Hollywood’s treatment of gay stories while unveiling the first trailer for his forthcoming romantic comedy, Bros.
The comedian’s film is set to make history as the first gay rom-com from a major Hollywood studio (yes, really).
Introducing the Bros trailer, Eichner couldn’t resist taking a dig at recent controversies surrounding Disney over their decision to remove – and then reinstate – a same-sex kiss from the upcoming Buzz Lightyear prequel film, Lightyear.
Addressing the audience at Universal’s CinemaCon event in Las Vegas on Wednesday (27 April), he clarified that when talking about the first gay rom-com from a major studio he wasn’t “talking about the new Buzz Lightyear movie”.
Turning his aim to the Sonic the Hedgehog series, Eichner quipped: “I think it’s important that before we got one movie about a gay couple we got two movies about a talking hedgehog.”
He also poked fun at the industry’s history of casting straight men in queer roles but not the other way around.
“You don’t believe a gay man can play straight but you suspend disbelief for Chewbacca,” the 43-year-old joked, as reported by Indiewire.
Pixar’s upcoming film Lightyear will feature a same-sex kiss. (YouTube/ Pixar)
Lightyear, a Toy Story prequel that stars Chris Evans as Buzz Lightyear, features a character named Hawthorne (voiced by Uzo Aduba) who is in a same-sex relationship.
A kiss between Hawthorne and her wife had been cut by Disney execs but was reinstated following backlash.
At a press screening for the film, Pixar producer Galyn Susman confirmed: “Yes. We have a kiss. You saw it in the version of the film that you all saw before this Q&A. We’ve always had the lesbian couple. They’ve always been a part of the film.
“Being able to put back the kiss was important to us. It’s a touching moment. It helps Buzz to see what it is that he’s… It’s the life that’s being lived in front of him by his best friend that he’s not having.
“He doesn’t have those kinds of relationships. He doesn’t have a child. He doesn’t have what she has. And so it was important for us to get that back in there. And we’re really excited about that.”
This is the best thing EVER! I could not possibly be more excited to tell you the ENTIRE main cast for my rom com BROS will be ALL openly LGBTQ+ actors!!! Yes, even in all the straight roles! This is a first for a major studio film. LET’S MAKE HISTORY!!! https://t.co/foLNecGlUU
— billy eichner (@billyeichner) September 23, 2021
Meanwhile, Bros – which stars Luke McFarlane as Eichner’s love interest – will follow two gay men who are “maybe, possibly, probably, stumbling towards love.”
RuPaul’s Drag Race winner Symone will star in Bros alongside trans actor TS Madison (Zola), gender non-conforming star Miss Lawrence (The United States vs Billie Holiday), Scandal actor Guillermo Diaz and Billy on the Street writer Guy Branum.
Bros is due for release on 30 September, while Lightyear is set for release on 17 June.
