“Divergent” actor Theo James said in an interview with The Advocate that he hopes to one day see an action film starring a character that happens to be LGBT.
Recent Hollywood films such as “The Hunger Games” have featured strong female leads that can rescue themselves from danger, and James said he sees them as a hopeful sign.
“We’re in a world where masculinity, especially with these big spectacle movies, is often pushed by rippling six packs and forcing an image down someone’s throat trying to prove masculinity,” he said. “Whereas I think true masculinity comes from having a strong sense of self. Part of what drew me to [the part of] Four was his concept of masculinity, especially in how he relates to Tris and their relationship. He’s intrigued by her but respectful of her bravery and her personality traits.”
Hollywood films seem to have a rule that romance must be at least a subplot, but while there is certainly a mutual attraction between main character Tris (played by Shailene Woodley) and Four, the relationship they build is based on respect for each other as people, rather than interest in their beauty. The fact that Tris has talents and a will of her own is not a threat to Four’s sense of self: “Her being strong doesn’t de-masculate him, and hopefully that’s pushing a more positive message about gender equality.”
As a story about being born an outsider and the struggle to find a place where you belong, “Divergent” has a strong sense of LGBT undertones. A large part of the conflict for Tris is having to choose a side, something interviewer Jase Peeples touched on when he asked James, “What if I told you Divergent could be interpreted as not only a gay allegory, but one that specifically highlights bisexuality?”
After a thoughtful pause, James grinned and said, “That’s an interesting parallel to make. I hadn’t connected those dots myself, but there’s definitely truth in there.”
When asked if he thought a film with an LGBT hero could be released anytime soon, James said, “It’s very hard to tell. Because today there are great shows like ‘Looking,’ poignant pieces of work that revolve around a central cast of characters that happen to be gay. But I remember when Queer as Folk came out and thinking, ‘Things are changing. Maybe there will be more [shows like this].’ And then suddenly there was a drought. Hopefully the day [we have a gay action hero] isn’t far away.”
“Divergent” opened on March 21.
Read the full interview here.
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