Though The Falcon and the Winter Soldier has come and gone, the present is again within the information once more following one more perplexing interview. This time actor Anthony Mackie, who shared some ideas about followers who have been upset to study that Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes don’t see it for each other, romantically.
Speaking to Variety concerning the significance of Sam turning into the MCU’s new Captain America, and about his view on why a few of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier’s followers have been holding onto the hope that the present’s two main characters is likely to be queer, Mackie pointed to the “exploitation of homosexuality,” a phrase that may be interpreted in a handful of various methods.
“It used to be guys can be friends, we can hang out, and it was cool,” Mackie stated. “You would always meet your friends at the bar, you know. You can’t do that anymore, because something as pure and beautiful as homosexuality has been exploited by people who are trying to rationalize themselves.”
There’s loads to unpack in that assertion, however what Mackie seemed to be stumbling over was the sophisticated actuality that the leisure business has “exploited” homosexuality within the sense that studios like Marvel have spent years telling audiences to look forward to queer illustration solely to finally ship the barest minimal. In the absence of precise queer characters being spotlighted in one of many world’s largest cinematic franchises, individuals do usually learn and venture themselves into the subtext of those tales, as a result of that’s a standard a part of how all individuals devour leisure.
What was really odd about Mackie’s interview, although, was his pointing to the “Striking Vipers” episode of Black Mirror as one other instance of platonic male friendships that audiences learn incorrectly. We received’t spoil “Striking Vipers” right here, however suffice to say that it’s the type of story Alfred Kinsey would have quite a bit to say about. The factor is, there are lots of precise depictions of platonic camaraderie between straight dudes simply being dudes collectively whereas a bunch of issues circuitously associated to their dude-ness occur round them. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier is a type of tales, sure, however listed here are a couple of current others to reference the following time somebody has the audacity to bemoan why there aren’t extra straight males on TV and in movies.
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Wee Hughie and the Boys (The Boys)
Though The Boys is generally a few bunch of social misfits working collectively to take down a megalomaniac company, it’s additionally a few bunch of males (and the one mostly-mute lady within the bunch) hanging out and reveling in each other’s rowdiness. To Hughie Billy Butcher, Frenchie, and Mother’s Milk aren’t simply his associates, they grow to be his household and provides him the sort of power essential to survive in a world filled with superpowered psychopaths.
Vision and the Men of Westview (WandaVision)
Much as Vision beloved his spouse Wanda, in his function because the Synthezoid Man-of-the-House in WandaVision, he spent a lot of his time in Westview hanging out along with his male neighbors as they trimmed their hedges, met for neighborhood watches, and tried to flee the city.
Mobius M. Mobius and Loki Laufeyson (Loki)
Though The Falcon and the Winter Soldier by no means fairly handle to grow to be the buddy cop present it needed to be, Loki received there nearly instantly by aping the narrative beats of many crime procedurals, and that includes an emotional confrontation between Mobius M. Mobius and Loki. Mobius is aware of Loki belongs in time jail, and that he’ll most likely kill individuals once more, and would possibly destroy the universe within the course of. But Mobius simply can’t assist however wish to give the trickster god a hug and a second likelihood and turning a brand new leaf, as a result of that’s what bros do for each other.
Luca and Alberto (Luca)
Luca is a wonderful instance of how a film that has all of the makings of being an age-appropriate, touching story about younger queer individuals first discovering their identities can truly simply be a few pair of European sea monsters who communicate some Italian. Tale as outdated as time.
The Bad Batch (The Bad Batch)
While The Bad Batch’s clones don’t at all times get together with each other, they do depend upon each other to outlive in a galaxy the place their particular type (see: distinctive dudes, and Omega) face threats on all sides.
Horace and Jasper (Cruella)
Even after Cruella de Vil blows into their lives in Disney’s new live-action Cruella, Horace and Jasper nonetheless maintain onto their childhood friendship that first introduced them collectively as younger orphans making an attempt to outlive on the road. Welcoming Cruella into their group actually modifications their dynamics to a sure extent, however as she turns into their domineering boss, and so they her henchmen, their bond is made that a lot stronger. Platonically.
Godzilla vs. Kong (Godzilla vs. Kong)
Godzilla vs. Kong can very simply be learn as a movie about two larger-than-live masculine presences clashing in a means that threatens your complete planet till a brand new unknown menace emerges that forces the creatures to put aside their variations and work collectively. Even when you’re not inclined to interpret the movie that means, it’s additionally very purposefully offered as such.
Cyborg and Aquaman (Zack Snyder’s Justice League)
This one needs to be self-explanatory, to be trustworthy.
Tej and Roman (The Fast & Furious franchise)
In practically each Fast & Furious film they’ve appeared in collectively, Tej and Roman haven’t missed a possibility to get in a couple of brutal digs at one another, of a deep and abiding love for each other that solely ever reads as platonic. It’s the type of power that bond’s the franchise’s whole Family collectively, however it’s by far the strongest between these two.
Kevin and Neil (Kevin Can F Himself)
Even although Kevin Can F Himself is about Allison struggling to interrupt free from the stifling sitcom actuality that appears to observe her husband Kevin round, Kevin and his finest buddy Neil’s brotherly affection for each other is likely one of the extra vital components of the present’s subplot. Often inside Kevin Can F Himself’s sitcom bubble, it’s Neil and Kevin’s antics that find yourself inflicting the chaos that seep over into Allison’s life. Neither Kevin nor Neil will be bothered to fret about how their actions have an effect on others, although, as a result of they’re simply having an excessive amount of damned enjoyable collectively, as buds do.
Suffice to say that there’s a broad vary of depictions of straight males having fun with each other’s firm with nary a suggestion of any romance or sexual experimentation in sight. That has at all times been the case, and it’ll possible at all times be the case, which is exactly why it’s so unusual every time individuals act because the small quantity of business progress that’s been made in the direction of placing extra queer tales on-screen is “enough.”
Correction: A earlier model of this text mistakenly recognized Ludacris’ Fast & Furious character as Edwin, moderately than Tej. We remorse the error, household.
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