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Power Rangers features first openly gay superhero in a big-budget movie

'She's questioning a lot about who she is'

Jack Shepherd
Tuesday 21 March 2017 12:21 GMT
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While the upcoming Power Rangers adaptation hasn’t received the best reviews so far - currently sitting at 50% on Rotten Tomatoes - the film looks set to break new ground, featuring the first LGBT protagonist in a big-budget superhero film.

Midway through Power Rangers, a scene depicts the titular group learning how Yellow Ranger Trini - played by Becky G - is coming to terms with her sexual orientation.

One character presumes she is having "boyfriend problems” before soon realising she's actually having "girlfriend problems.”

"For Trini, really she's questioning a lot about who she is,” director Dean Israelite told The Hollywood Reporter regarding the “pivotal” scene.

"She hasn't fully figured it out yet. 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.”

David Yost, who played the blue Ranger in the 90s TV show and is gay, praised the director’s decision: "I think so many people in the LGBTQI community are going to be excited to see that representation.”

Power Rangers Clip - Spaceship

Earlier this month, Disney’s latest adaptation of Beauty and the Beast caused controversy after director Bill Condon revealed the film has Disney’s first "gay moment”. Kuwait and Malaysia both banned the film, while Russia gave the film a 16 age rating.

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