In a first for Hollywood, Universal has announced the first ever all LGBTQIA+ cast for a major studio film. Bros is written by Billy Eichner and Nicholas Stoller, who will also direct. The film stars Eichner and Luke McFarlane as “two gay men maybe, possibly, probably, stumbling towards love. Maybe. They’re both very busy.”
The rest of the cast includes TS Madison, Miss Lawrence, Symone, Guillermo Diaz, and Guy Branum (who previously wrote for Billy on the Street with Eichner). According to the studio, all roles, including heterosexual characters, will be played by LGBTQIA+ actors and performers. Eichner commented on the historic casting in a statement.
“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**king hysterical and you’re going to love them.”
Stoller, Eichner, Judd Apatow, and Josh Church will executive produce the film. Bros is set to hit theaters August 12, 2022.
