Billy Eichner’s Gay Rom-Com Making History with All-LGBTQ Cast

Billy Eichner

History is in the making, and Billy Eichner,43, is behind it! This will be the first film consisting of all LGBTQ actors. The “Billy on the Street” comedian is both co-writing and will be starring in the rom-com called “Bros,” which is a gay love story. The other co-writer is Nicholas Stoller. Even the heterosexual roles in the film “will be played by openly LGBTQ actors and actresses,” according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The news comes in just a week before the start of the LGBTQ History month, in October. People are claiming Eichner’s upcoming film is going to make queer history in many big ways!

Lately, celebrities have started coming out about their sexual preferences. For example, Lea DeLaria, the OITNB star, shared in June about being hospitalized due to a homophobic attack.

In May, Demi Lavoto came out as non-binary on the podcast “4D with Demi Lovato.”

Netflix also brought in an adaption of LGBT YA Graphic NovelHeartstopper,

netflix lgbt

Even, the legendary Elton John Spoke up against the Vatican for refusing to bless Gay Marriages.

Eichner stated,

“No one was even pretending 20 years ago. They just said, ‘Oh, you’re an openly gay man in comedy. Well, good luck on a gay cruise.’ The options were very limited. The idea of being able to make this very LGBTQ-centric rom-com and to really have my vision respected and appreciated seemed like a very foreign concept at the time.”

Eichner’s film’s storyline is reported to be a smart, swoony, and heartfelt comedy about two gay men — Eichner and Luke Macfarlane who, “Maybe, possibly, probably, stumbling toward love. Maybe. They’re both very busy.”

When the film was initially announced in March, it made headlines as the first gay love to be produced at Universal Pictures. The fact Eichner was bold enough to openly announce that he is gay, including the fact that he will be co-writing and will also star in his own film, received lots of acclaim and support from the LGBTQ community.

And it’s not just Eicher; the film stars transgender author TS Madison, as well as gender non-conforming actor Miss Lawrence, Symone from Season 13 of RuPaul’s Drag Race. Other actors include TV host and creator Guy Branum and actor Guillermo Diaz.

Capture tweet

Eichner stated,

“I could not be more proud or excited about the historic nature of the all openly LGBTQ+ cast of Bros. After queer actors have spent decades watching straight actors capitalize both artistically and professionally by playing LGBTQ+ characters, it is a long overdue dream come true to be able to assemble this remarkable, hilarious cast. And while Bros may be the first of its kind in several ways, my real hope is that it is only the first of many opportunities for openly LGBTQ+ ensembles to shine and show the world all we are capable of as actors, beyond just being the wacky sidekick, token queer or a straight movie star’s ‘gay best friend.’ And beyond all of that, this cast is f—— hysterical and you’re going to love them. “

Eichner wrote on Twitter,

“This is the best thing EVER! … This is a first for a major studio film. LET’S MAKE HISTORY!!!”

Back in 2019, when Eichner was working on Bros,” he stated,

“In a perfect world, gay actors can play gay roles and gay actors can play straight roles, and straight actors can play straight roles and play gay roles, and we’re all mixing and matching because part of the fun and the challenge of being an actor or an actress is to play someone who you’re not. We can do it all.”

Eicher also mentioned that Bros was only “four weeks away from shooting” before the pandemic shut everything down — including productions. Thankfully, it ended up working out for the better.

“It gave me some time to stop and reflect on that project and the script and also life in general, for better or worse. That did give us time to sit and think about our lives and how you want to spend your time.”

Eichner calls it a “miracle” to have found such mainstream success in Hollywood, working with Universal Studios as an out gay man. The film is scheduled for release on August 12, 2022.

 

 

 

Mohid Moosani

Moosani is a night owl who is either binge watching his favorite shows or scribbling on his notebook writing short stories. Often showing up late at work and gulping down 6-7 cups of coffee is his usual practice.


Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *