Originally published May 20, 2018. Updated May 21, 2018.
20th Century Fox’s Deadpool 2 has taken a big step forward for LGBT representation in film, with the sequel to 2016’s hit X-Men spinoff featuring the first on-screen same-sex couple in a major superhero movie in Brianna Hildebrand’s Negasonic Teenage Warhead and Shioli Kutsuna’s Yukio.
The movie has been receiving praise from members of the LGBT community, including comments from GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis who described the inclusion of the couple as “groundbreaking [and] giving countless moviegoers around the world what they’ve longed to see — LGBTQ superheroes in a relationship who protect the world together.”
Speaking to TooFab, Hildebrand – the breakout star of the first Deadpool – has been sharing her thoughts, stating that: “It feels really good, as a member of the LGBTQ community myself, it feels awesome to be paving that path. When I was younger, I was never really a big fan of superheroes or anything, but going to conventions I realized how important they are to people and how empowering they can be and I think it’s really important to be able to see a version of yourself, or someone you can relate to on the screen, being invincible. “I hope some kids around the world can see that they can do what they want and see themselves while doing it.”
Hildebrand also went on to reveal that Ryan Reynolds contacted her by email to run the idea past her, asking “if it would be OK and I was totally onboard. I know that when Ryan messaged me about it, the only thing I requested is that it not be made a big deal and so I think that’s part of what makes it so special, it’s just mentioned and it is what it is. I hope that fans can appreciate that about it.”
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Marvel’s motormouth mercenary is back! Bigger, better and occasionally more pantless than ever before. When a super soldier arrives on a murderous mission, Deadpool is forced to think about friendship, family and what it really means to be a hero – all while kicking 50 shades of ass. Because, sometimes, to do the right thing you need to fight dirty.
Deadpool 2 sees David Leitch (John Wick) directing a cast that includes returning stars Ryan Reynolds (Wade Wilson), Morena Baccarin (Vanessa), T.J. Miller (Weasel), Brianna Hildebrand (Negasonic Teenage Warhead), Stefan Kapicic (Colossus), Leslie Uggams (Blind Al) and Karan Soni (Dopinder) alongside new additions Zazie Beetz (Atlanta) as Domino, Josh Brolin (Avengers: Infinity War) as Cable, Terry Crews (Brooklyn Nine-Nine) as Bedlam, Lewis Tan (Iron Fist) as Shatterstar, Bill Skarsgard (It) as Zeitgeist, Rob Delaney (Catastrophe), Julian Dennison (Hunt for the Wilderpeople) as Russell, Jack Kesy (The Strain) as Black Tom Cassidy and Shioli Kutsuna (The Outsider) as Yukio.
