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Power Rangers Film Includes 1st Big-Screen LGBT Superhero
posted on by Karen Ressler
Lionsgate's upcoming Power Rangers film will include an LGBT protagonist, marking the first time a big-budget Hollywood movie has included an LGBT superhero. The film also includes a character on the autism spectrum.
(Note: The following contains minor spoilers for the Power Rangers film.)
In a scene in the second act, one character asks Trini (the Yellow Ranger, played by Becky Gomez) if she is having "boyfriend problems," and when she replies disingenuously, the character asks if it is actually "girlfriend problems."
Director Dean Isrealite told The Hollywood Reporter that the scene is "pivotal" to the rest of the film. "She's questioning a lot about who she is," Israelite commented. "She hasn't fully figured it out yet. I think what's great about that scene and what that scene propels for the rest of the movie is, 'That's OK.' The movie is saying, 'That's OK,' and all of the kids have to own who they are and find their tribe."
Billy (the Blue Ranger, played by R.J. Cyler) has a scene where he talks about being on the autism spectrum.
The film will open on March 24 after a delay.
Sources: IndieWire (Jude Dry), The Hollywood Reporter (Aaron Couch), Toronto Sun (Jim Slotek)
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