New Gay Rom-Com ‘Bros’ Cast Receives Mixed Reviews

When it was announced last week that the groundbreaking gay rom-com Bros would star Billy Eichner and Luke Macfarlane, some queers rejoiced! Others were… underwhelmed.

Beloved director Judd Apatow and co-writer Eichner are making history with the first gay rom-com ever produced by a major studio. Eichner will also be the first openly gay man to ever write and star in their own studio film—a much-needed first for Hollywood. According to the movie’s description, it “centers on two gay men with commitment issues who attempt a relationship.”

Thousands of people flocked to Twitter to voice their excitement about the casting—Eichner is an LGBTQ media icon known for his roles in Parks and Recreation and his own comedy show Billy on the Street, and Macfarlane is a textbook dreamy, gay heartthrob.”Glad to see Luke MacFarlane in something more appropriate than Hallmark shows where he is always paired with a woman. ‘Bout time,” one Twitter user writes.

Glad to see Luke MacFarlane in something more appropriate than Hallmark shows where he is always paired with a woman. 'Bout time.

— NudeinNature (@NudeinN) August 22, 2021

But some audiences are already disappointed that such a groundbreaking film would feature two white stars. The queer community is wildly diverse, not to mention that LGBTQ people of color pioneered the vast majority of queer culture. But with the two white leads already cast, BIPOC are no longer holding their breath.

“I can’t decide if I hope for some POC characters in this or none, as I don’t want to have to see another POC being the side story to help the main line again,” one Twitter user says. “We are not put on the earth to only play supporting roles.”

A quick Google search of “gay rom coms” only proves this users point. Nearly every movie on the list features all white leads, and only a handful have any BIPOC actors, virtually all in supporting roles. Black and brown queer people hoped that Bros might break up the endless sea of white faces that dominate LGBTQ media— unfortunately, it looks like they’ll have to keep waiting.

I can’t decide if I hope for some POC characters in this or none as i don’t want to have to see another POC being the side story to help the main line again. We were not put on this earth to only play supporting roles ???? https://t.co/xTfKxpF3TV

— Kush Khanna (@Kushting) August 21, 2021

Bros is set to hit theaters on August 22, 2022.