Actor Chris Evans believes people concerned over the inclusion of same-sex content in films are “idiots” who should simply be disregarded.
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Evans, known for his role as Captain America in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, stars in Disney Pixar’s latest animated feature, “Lightyear,” a movie about the iconic “Toy Story” character Buzz Lightyear.
The film features a same-sex relationship and kiss and, as a result, has drawn the ire of individuals concerned about including such content in a kids’ movie.
Chris Evans’ Remarks
“The real truth is, those people are idiots,” Evans told Reuters Television through a smirk. “Throughout history, you can see, every time there’s been social advancement, as we wake up, the American story, the human story is one of constant social awakening and growth, and that’s what makes us good.”
Watch his remarks:
The actor, who voices Lightyear, said there will always be people “who are afraid and unaware and trying to hold on to what was before.”
Rather than engage these individuals, he encouraged people to ignore them entirely.
“Those people die off like dinosaurs,” Evans told the outlet. “I think the goal is to pay them no mind, march forward, and embrace the growth that makes us human.”
What Others Are Saying
This reaction — far from a one-off discussion about “Lightyear” — appears to be part of a strategy in addressing the controversy surrounding the film, as the cast and those behind the movie continue to speak about the same-sex furor quite openly.
In a separate interview with ET Canada, Evans said the pushback, including banning the film in 14 Middle Eastern countries, is “frustrating” but that it “feels good to be a part of something that is making social progress.”
Actress Keke Palmer, who also stars in the film, called the adverse reaction “terrible” but pledged to push through it. Others involved with the project agreed and defended the movie.
“I don’t think that there’s anything in this film that is inappropriate for anybody,” producer Galyn Susman told ET Canada.
Of course, many parents would disagree, choosing not to subject their children to scenes that might be confusing or spark questions they’re not yet ready to ponder.
Outlets like Entertainment Weekly, though, are dubbing “Lightyear” a “family-friendly film,” despite noting in the same sentence that it shows “not only Pixar’s first prominent LGBT character in a movie but also its first same-sex kiss on screen.”
The Broader Disney Controversy
Controversy continues to swirl over Disney’s decision to embark on a quest to include more LGBT themes in kids’ content, with “Lightyear” serving as the company’s latest testing ground.
It should be noted the kiss in question was reportedly initially removed from the film. After the furor over Disney CEO Bob Chapek’s initial decision not to wade into the debate over Florida’s Parental Rights in Education Act, the scene was purportedly added back into the movie.
Critics have vociferously dubbed the parental rights legislation, which takes effect July 1, as the “Don’t Say Gay bill,” despite the word “gay” being absent from the text. The law bars educators from teaching about gender identity and sexual orientation from pre-K through third grade.
At first, when the bill was proposed, Disney remained quiet, with CEO Bob Chapek taking heat for refusing to repudiate it after saying such actions from corporations are generally “counterproductive.”
But due to intense pressure, Disney reversed course and went all in. The company suddenly pledged to help efforts to repeal the law, releasing a statement on March 28 that dug its heels in on the matter.
“Florida’s HB 1557, also known as the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill, should never have passed and should never have been signed into law,” Disney said. “Our goal as a company is for this law to be repealed by the legislature or struck down in the courts, and we remain committed to supporting the national and state organizations working to achieve that.”
DeSantis vs. Disney
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) and his team responded, and the situation escalated until the Florida legislature rescinded Disney’s decades-long control of The Reedy Creek Improvement District, a private government once controlled by the entertainment giant; Disney’s sprawling Florida campus, which houses its theme parks, resides on that property.
The governor then signed that legislation, leaving many questions up in the air about what comes next for the stalemate between Disney and DeSantis and how Florida will handle the special district moving forward.
Read more about how Disney’s Reedy Creek agreement took form and operated — and what comes next.
Other Disney Controversies
These issues were exacerbated by leaked videos from Disney leaders and staff discussing LGBT issues. Clips from The Walt Disney Company’s “Reimagine Tomorrow Summit,” an internal conference for employees, showed Chapek apologizing to LGBT employees and promising to do more.
SCOOP: Disney diversity and inclusion manager Vivian Ware says the company has eliminated all mentions of “ladies,” “gentlemen,” “boys,” and “girls” in its theme parks in order to create “that magical moment” for children who do not identify with traditional gender roles. pic.twitter.com/OWsGTUoeCA
— Christopher F. Rufo ⚔️ (@realchrisrufo) March 29, 2022
In another video, Vivian Ware, “diversity and inclusion manager” for Disney, purportedly spoke favorably about California-based Disneyland and Florida-based Walt Disney World’s joint decision to ax “ladies and gentlemen” and “boys and girls” proclamations from the respective parks.
“We don’t want to just assume, because someone might be, in our interpretation, maybe presenting as female, that they may not want to be called ‘princess,’” she said. “So let’s think differently about how do we really engage with our guests in a meaningful and inclusive way that makes it magical and memorable for everyone.”
And Karey Burke, president of general entertainment at Disney, reportedly said she is the mom of pansexual and transgender children and wants to see “many, many, many LGBTQIA characters” in Disney films and TV shows.
Thus “Lightyear” could simply be the beginning of what’s to come.
These decisions concern Christian parents because they violate the biblical definition of marriage as being between one man and one woman and are specifically aimed at young and impressionable children. Read more about these issues here.
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