‘Power Rangers’ Will Feature First Big-Screen Queer Superhero

The upcoming Power Rangers reboot will be the first big-budget superhero movie to feature an LGBTQ character.

POWER RANGERS WILL FEATURE QUEER CHARACTER

Trini, the Yellow Ranger, is coming to terms with her sexuality in the film, with one character changing from saying Trini’s having “boyfriend problems” to saying she has “girlfriend problems.”

Director Dean Israelite says the story is “pivotal” to the film. “For Trini, really she’s questioning a lot about who she is. She hasn’t fully figured it out yet,” he says. “I think what’s great about that scene and what that scene propels for the rest of the movie is, ‘That’s OK.’ The movie is saying, ‘That’s OK,’ and all of the kids have to own who they are and find their tribe.”

While many comic book heroes and villains, such as Wonder Woman, Catwoman, Batwoman, and Harley Quinn, are portrayed as queer, that characteristic has yet to transfer to their movie versions. Northstar on X-Men is the first openly gay character from either DC or Marvel, and was introduced in 1992.

The original Blue Ranger actor David Yost has praised the new film for its inclusiveness. Yost left the show in 90s after facing harassment for his sexual orientation. “They really stepped up to the plate,” he said.  “I think so many people in the LGBTQI community are going to be excited to see that representation.”

The original Yellow Ranger, played by the late Thuy Trang, was portrayed as a straight character. This news comes shortly after the controversy about the new Beauty and the Beast‘s LeFou being Disney’s first-ever gay character.