Chris Evans on critics of same-sex couples in Lightyear: ‘The real truth is these people are jerks’
Chris Evans hit back at critics of his upcoming film Lightyear’s portrayal of a same-sex couple, saying “the real truth is these people are jerks.”
The Boston native, 41, spoke to Reuters on Tuesday about criticism of a gay couple starring in the Pixar film in which he voices the title role of Buzz Lightyear.
“Any time we’ve made social advances in waking up, American history, human history, is a history of ongoing social awakening and growth, and that does us well,” Evans said.
The Latest: Chris Evans, 41, hit back at critics for portraying a same-sex couple in his upcoming film Lightyear, saying: “The real truth is these people are jerks.” He was pictured in London on Monday at the UK premiere of the film
The interview comes after Lightyear was banned in the United Arab Emirates for portraying a same-sex couple and 13 countries in the Middle East and Asia refused to allow Disney to screen the film.
In the animated film, Buzz Lightyear’s girlfriend is a female Space Ranger Alisha Hawthorne (voiced by Uzo Aduba) who is married to a woman, with a montage of moments showing the same-sex kiss.
Evans said, “There will always be people who are scared and unaware and trying to hold on to what came before … but those people are dying like dinosaurs.
“I think the goal is to ignore them, to march forward and embrace the growth that makes us human.”
In the animated film, Buzz Lightyear’s boyfriend is a space ranger Alisha Hawthorne (voiced by Uzo Aduba) who is married to a woman
Evans voices the title role of Buzz Lightyear in the upcoming film
The scene was originally cut from the film, Variety reported, but was restored after Disney employees became upset about the decision amid the company’s publicized troubles with Florida’s Don’t Say Gay law.
Evans told Variety earlier this week that he thinks it’s “wonderful” that the company decided to put the scene back in the film.
“It’s hard not to be a little bit frustrated that it even needs to be a topic of discussion,” Evans said. ‘That it’s that kind of ‘news’. The goal is for us to get to a point where it’s the norm and this doesn’t have to be new territory, eventually this is just the way it is. That representation across the board is how we make films.”
Evans was seen signing autographs for fans at the film’s London premiere
Evans said that “every time we’ve made social advances in waking up, American history, human history is a history of ongoing social awakening and growth, and that does us good.”
The A-list actor added, “It’s an honor to be a part of something that’s taking these steps, but the goal is to look back on that time and just be shocked that it’s taken us so long to get there to get.”
The film’s producer, Galyn Susman, asked Reuters why people “stop getting upset when they show failed relationships” since the relationship in Lightyear “lasts a lifetime.”
“It’s loving, it’s supportive, and it shows Buzz exactly what he doesn’t have, and that’s the whole point,” Susman said. “We should all be so fortunate to have such a relationship in our lives.”
Lightyear is slated to hit theaters on Friday.