During an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Independence Day and Independence Day 2 director Roland Emmerich revealed that there will be a gay couple in the highly anticipated Independence Day sequel, but that it's not a big deal. The interview focused more heavily on the inclusion of gay actors as leads in Hollywood blockbusters and how Studios are opposed to the idea. The article on THR also reveals however that Roland is currently in Albuquerque, N.M, preparing filming locations for Independence Day 2. Read on to read excerpts of the interview where Emmerich mentions Independence Day 2:
Including more gay characters in film and TV is one way to increase exposure and is something you're doing in the next Independence Day film. What can you say about those characters?
We have a gay couple in the film. We don't make a big deal out of it. You start small and then you get bigger and bigger and bigger, and one day you have a gay character as the lead and nobody will wonder at it no more. But we're not there yet. It's really interesting, you know, when you go to a studio and say it's [the lead] character and it's a $150 million or $160 million film -- they will not allow it. But when you have five characters, they allow [one of them to be gay] because they're super-smart, you know?
Reading comments to THR's original piece, its evident some moviegoers are not pleased with the idea of including gay characters in high profile summer blockbusters, with some going as far as to say they will not even see Independence Day 2 now, because of it. Regardless of your own orientation and beliefs, would this really warrant a film being unviewable? We here remain neutral to the argument, but are curious to hear what our readers feel. So, let us know your thoughts in the comments section if you wish to share them!
