‘Bros’: Billy Eichner blames ‘straight’ people for low theatre turnout

Billy Eichner has blamed 'straight' people for the disappointing turnout at theatres following the release of his LGBTQI+ film, 'Bros'.

Oct 4, 2022 - 11:15
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‘Bros’: Billy Eichner blames ‘straight’ people for low theatre turnout

Emmy-nominated actor and producer Billy Eichner officially released his gay romantic comedy film, Bros, on Friday 30 September. Taking to Twitter following the film’s opening weekend at the box office, Eichner blamed “straight” people who didn’t “show up” for the low turnout at theatres. 

ALSO READ: Trailer alert: First-look at Billy Eichner’s LGBTQI+ comedy ‘Bros’ [watch]

BILLY EICHNER’S ‘BROS’

Bros, co-written by Billy Eichner and Nicholas Stoller, follows two gay men who struggle with commitment issues and find their way to each other. Eichner makes history as the first openly gay man to write and star in his own film. 

The romantic comedy stars an all-LGBTQI+ cast including Luke Macfarlane, who featured in Netflix’s LGBTQI+ Christmas film, Single All the Way. Other stars include Bowen Yang, Guillermo Diaz, Jai Rodriguez, Benito Skinner, Dot Marie Jones and RuPaul’s Drag Race star Symone. 

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter about the cast, Eichner said: “After queer actors have spend decades watching straight actors capitalise both artistically and professionally by playing LGBTQI+ characters, it is a long overdue dream come true to be able to assemble this remarkable hilarious cast.”

WATCH THE TRAILER HERE 

EICHNER REACTS TO LOW TURNOUT FOR ‘BROS’

Following its release, Billy Eichner took to Twitter on Sunday 2 October to express his disappointment about the low turn-out for his film. In a series of tweets the 44-year-old says even with rave reviews from film critics, some chose not to “show up” for Bros. 

“Even with glowing reviews, great Rotten Tomatoes scores, an A CinemaScore etc, straight people especially in certain parts of the country just didn’t show up for Bros and that’s disappointing but it is what it is,” he said. 

“Everyone who ISN’T a homophobia weirdo should go see Bros tonight! You will have a blast. And it is special and uniquely powerful to see this particular story on a big screen, especially for queer folks who don’t get this opportunity often. I love this movie so much. GO BROS!”

ALSO READ: Pride Month in Mzansi: South Africans raise the flag in unity [watch]

CELEBRATING QUEER CONTENT 

In an interview with Collider, Eichner said Universal Pictures has been an incredible partner and collaborator in making Bros happen. 


“I give so much credit to them. I have so much gratitude for not only making the movie but how they approached it. Allowing us, not only allowing us, supporting the idea of casting all openly LGBTQ actors and supporting the idea that we would tell an authentic story.”