"Power Rangers" is about to become Hollywood's most inclusive movie yet. The reboot of the 90s children's show will be the first big screen superhero movie to feature an LGBTQ protagonist.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the second act of the new film reveals that Yellow Ranger Trini (played by Becky G) is struggling with her sexual orientation.
"For Trini, really, she's questioning a lot about who she is," director Dean Israelite explained to the site. "She hasn't fully figured it out yet."
Yellow Ranger Trini (played by Becky G).
In a small but "pivotal" moment in the film, one character mistakes the Yellow Ranger's "girlfriend problems" for "boyfriend problems."
"I think what's great about that scene and what that scene propels for the rest of the movie is, 'That's OK,'" said Israelite. "The movie is saying, 'That's OK,' and all of the kids have to own who they are and find their tribe."
#PowerRangers is breaking down a barrier no superhero movie has before. pic.twitter.com/HJPBW6WFRL
— Hollywood Reporter (@THR) March 20, 2017
Featuring a gay protagonist in a superhero film is a trendsetting choice for the genre. Characters who are identified as LGBTQ in DC and Marvel comics, such as Catwoman and Mystique, have always been portrayed as straight in films.
Interestingly, Trini was straight in the original TV series, but the new film decided to change things up.
For original Blue Ranger David Yost, this twist is a meaningful one. After all, the 48-year-old actor was openly gay when he joined the TV cast, but decided to leave after he was harassed for his sexual orientation.
Yost is now praising the new "Power Rangers" for including an LGBTQ character.
"They really stepped up to the plate. I think so many people in the LGBTQI community are going to be excited to see that representation."
The Power Rangers.
But "Power Rangers" isn't just inclusive because of its LGBTQ character. The film also features a racially diverse cast and Blue Ranger Billy is portrayed as being on the autism spectrum, Screen Rant reports.
"We decided to be bold in how we were going to reimagine it," director Israelite said at a recent press conference. "It felt like if we kept what the original show had in terms of feeling, I thought we'd have a lot of latitude... the die-hard fans (would) still appreciate it."
On social media, fans are applauding the film's decision to be representative of people from all races, sexual orientations and abilities.
Me: i don't really care about power rangers
New power rangers movie: *yellow ranger is a gay latina and blue is black and autistic*
Me: pic.twitter.com/i2Y1NsnjO1
— Klaudia Amenábar (@kaludiasays) March 20, 2017
#PowerRangersMovie has Blue Ranger that is autistic and Yellow Ranger that is gay. I like this. It's indicative of real people/challenges.
— James Alderson (@Reiki_Kito) March 20, 2017
power rangers has a gay character and 6-year-old me is LIVING
— JamesMichael Nichols (@JMN) March 20, 2017
dc and marvel honestly wish their movies were as amazing and diverse as power rangers and those are facts
— hna (@kimbrlyhart) March 20, 2017
POWER RANGERS GOT A LESBIAN LATINA, AN AUTISTIC BLACK BOY, A KICKASS DESI GIRL AND A BUFF CHINESE GUY SO I BEST BE SEEING YOU AT THE MOVIES pic.twitter.com/FOKRGSVgBz
— -A (@ammaarahXx) March 21, 2017