‘Deadpool 2’ praised by LGBT fans and activists for featuring same-sex couple
The comedy is the first Marvel film to feature an on-screen same-sex couple.
Deadpool 2 has been praised by LGBT fans and advocates for being the first Marvel film to feature an on-screen same-sex couple.
The 20th Century Fox comedy film, which stars Ryan Reynolds as leading character Wade Wilson, surprised LGBT fans with a lesbian romance between characters Negasonic Teenage Warhead (Brianna Hildebrand) and Yukio (Shioli Kutsuna).
And in an interview with Yahoo, Deadpool 2 director David Leitch revealed he wanted the film to “reflect real life”.
He said: “[It wasn’t] a statement we were trying to make… I never really thought of it that way.
“It just felt natural to the material. I’m glad that it is [breaking ground]. I think that I’m really glad that it doesn’t feel like it’s groundbreaking. Maybe we’ve come to a place in society where that just feels natural.”
The move was also celebrated by GLAAD. In a statement, GLAAD’s CEO and president Sarah Kate Ellis said: “20th Century Fox and Marvel have finally given countless moviegoers around the world what they’ve longed to see – LGBTQ superheroes in a relationship who protect the world together.
“Negasonic and Yukio’s storyline is a milestone in a genre that too often renders LGBTQ people invisible, and should send a message to other studios to follow this example of inclusive and smart storytelling.”
Just last year it was announced that Thor: Ragnarok’s Valkyrie was bisexual, but a scene referencing her sexuality was cut from the film. Meanwhile, Solo: A Star Wars Story co-writer Jonathan Kasdan revealed this week that Lando Calrissian is pansexual.
Deadpool 2 is in cinemas now.
Watch the trailer below: