The upcoming Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers (or just Power Rangers, as they’re now known) remake got some heat for whitewashing Rita Repulsa, but it’s opening up in a different way with what’s being called the first openly LGBTQ characters in an action movie:
SPOILERS BELOW so beware:
During Power Rangers’ second act, there’s a scene in which the titular heroes learn that the Yellow Ranger Trini (Becky G) is coming to terms with her sexual orientation, with one character assuming she’s having “boyfriend problems,” and soon realizing that perhaps she’s actually having “girlfriend problems.” It’s a small moment, but one director Dean Israelite calls “pivotal” for the entire film.
“For Trini, really she’s questioning a lot about who she is,” Israelite tells The Hollywood Reporter. “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.”
While some who have seen Power Rangers already say this is overhyping a tiny moment in the finished film it is a nice vindication for the original Blue Ranger actor David Yost, who left the series over harassment over his sexual orientation. And he likes the new moment:
“They really stepped up to the plate,” says Yost. “I think so many people in the LGBTQI community are going to be excited to see that representation.”
This joins the LeFou gay moment in the blockbuster Beauty and the Beast remake and the ongoing queer storylines on Supergirl as plotlines that open up a more enlightened view of gender in our nerd/superhero media. The films have yet to catch up to the comics, though, where there are plenty of openly LGBTQA+ characters, from the original, Northstar, to Jughead to Midnighter and Apollo to Harley Quinn.
Whaddaya say, readers? Should there be more openly LGBTQ characters in superhero movies?
God not another. I’m fine with gay characters in shows but every one! in my entire life I’ve only ever two gay people.
I don’t see why gays are so special they have to have representation in every fucking show,comic,game etc
I’m actively starting to resent the LGBT movement whereas before I couldn’t give two figs for or against.
Heidi, David Yost wasn’t the original Blue Ranger actor but the Blue Ranger actor from the first U.S. remake of the Japanese show.
Soboring, if you think gays have representation in every show, comic, game, etc. then you obviously haven’t watched many different shows, read many different comics, or played many different games.
“Power Rangers movie has a character” would be a headline in itself.
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