- Iconic "Star Wars" character Lando Calrissian was revealed as pansexual by one of the co-writers of "Star Wars: A Solo Story."
- Though the movie has yet to hit theaters, it doesn't appear to be an explicit part of his role.
- People are frustrated with yet another major movie studio touting LGBTQ inclusion.
- But subtext isn't enough — fans want to see an openly LGBTQ+ character on the screen.
Iconic "Star Wars" character Lando Calrissian is pansexual, according to "Solo" co-writer Jonathan Kasdan. Though LGBTQ+ representation in a major studio movie like "Solo" is welcome news, many are still left feeling as if this revelation doesn't truly count for proper inclusion.
"I would say yes," Kasdan told Huffington Post when asked if the character is pansexual. "There's a fluidity to Donald and Billy Dee's [portrayal of Lando's] sexuality. I mean, I would have loved to have gotten a more explicitly LGBT character into this movie. I think it's time, certainly, for that, and I love the fluidity — sort of the spectrum of sexuality that Donald appeals to and that droids are a part of."
Reporters, movie critics critics, and "Star Wars" fans alike expressed frustration over the report after the news broke Thursday afternoon. For many it seems like Disney and Lucasfilm try to "earn points" for LGBTQ+ inclusion without truly having representation in its films.
#SoloAStarWarsStory Writer Follows Disney Corporate Strategy of Trying to Earn LGBT Points Without Really Doing Anything https://t.co/yjfAAFaEpE
— Eric D. Snider (@EricDSnider) May 17, 2018
Yeah, and Dumbledore is gay. But until these characters actually act on these sexualities, maybe don't trumpet the fact that you wrote them a certain way without showing it in your work. https://t.co/WrqjkF5aEB
— Nathan McDermott (@natemcdermott) May 17, 2018
Hi is it on screen? If it's not on screen, it's not enough. THAAAAAANKS. https://t.co/1DVodzNcLn
— Preeti Chhibber (@runwithskizzers) May 17, 2018
Others still believe the lack of direct representation is due to major movie studios worrying than an explicitly LGBTQ+ character would alienate subsections of moviegoers. People see it as cowardice or a shirking of true diversity efforts.
the ‘we’re LGBT+ but only outside of our film media because Hollywood wants LGBT+ viewers but doesn’t want to lose money from homophobes’ club pic.twitter.com/t5bQY7x6CU
— Yulicia 💕 (@Yulicia0) May 18, 2018
Make your characters textually queer, or keep it out your goddamn mouth. This whole "Oh, BTW Dumbledore is gay, Lando Calrissian is pansexual, Frodo Baggins was actually one of the founding members of the House of LaBeija..." Put it in the FUCKING movie or shut up, you coward.
— [kie.ran] (@danblackroyd) May 17, 2018
"We were too chicken to risk actual LGBTQ+ representation in our 9-figure critic-proof blockbuster, but hey, I thought about doing it and that's the same thing, right?"
— Kayleigh Donaldson (@Ceilidhann) May 17, 2018
*collects cookies*
Representatives for Disney didn't immediately respond to INSIDER's request for comment.
Many other tweets drew comparisons between this news and the issue of J.K. Rowling retroactively revealing Albus Dumbledore as gay in the "Harry Potter" series. Many fans have felt increasingly betrayed as reports about the coming "Fantastic Beasts" movie have implied that the character won't be "explicitly gay" on screen.
Earlier this year, INSIDER spoke with many devoted "Harry Potter" fans about the lack of direct LGBTQ+ representation in these major franchise movies.
"Young people are looking to media to see themselves represented, and it's absolutely critical that they find themselves in the characters they see on screen," Brad Ausrotas, a bisexual "Harry Potter" fan told INSIDER. "You won't be able to ignore that forever — the generation growing up today is the gayest on record. I don't think you're going to find silence from us any time soon."
The "Star Wars" franchise has been under fire for several years when it comes to LGBTQ+ representation. People have been hardcore shipping Poe and Finn since "The Force Awakens," and last year there was buzz about a possible implication of General Holdo (Lauren Dern) being bisexual in a "Star Wars" novel.
But so far, every "Star Wars" film is lacking an openly LGBTQ+ character.
And it's not just "Star Wars" or J.K. Rowling's "Harry Potter" franchise. Similar dismay occurred after Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" was touted to have a big "exclusively gay" moment, and then the reveal was a just quick flash of two men dancing together.
Marvel has also faced criticism for cutting a scene with Valkyrie in "Thor: Ragnorak" that made it explicit she's bisexual (an aspect of the character Tessa Thompson confirmed on Twitter).
As many noted above, this is becoming a worrying trend. People are getting increasingly vocal about their frustrations when writers, directors, and actors of major studio films say in a press interview that a character identifies as LGBTQ+ but that it won't be "explicit" or open.
People across fandoms have made it clear they're ready for an openly queer character in a big, blockbuster franchise, and they're placing the pressure on the studios and creators to deliver.
"Solo: A Star Wars Story" hits theaters on May 25. Read INSIDER's review of the anticipated prequel film here.
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