Though it may stumble at times, Hollywood has carefully set out to take more progressive sides, taking matters such as equality, diversity and authenticity very carefully. Different franchises have begun recognizing the importance of strong female leads and LGBT representation. One of these includes Alien, the latest installment of which is set to break former barriers by featuring a husband-husband duo in its ship of couples.
Though Alien has previously hinted at same-sex tension between a few of its characters, the same-sex pairing in Alien: Covenant is the first time the franchise featured openly homosexual characters.Speaking in an interview with Screen Rant during a set visit, Alien: Covenant stars Nathaniel Dean and Demian Bichir explain how their characters Hallett and Sergeant Lope fit into the film.
"Before partners, before husband and before lovers we are professionals and we know we can't cross that line because that would be the difference between dead and alive," Bicher said. "No one really crosses any line, the rest of the crew is also formed in couples and whatever happens in our cabins is private."
"We are all couples on this ship, all kinds of couples, even men and men. For me that's a beautiful side of the story when you can have these two almost iconic macho types being together and loving each other and being a part of keeping everyone alive."
While the addition of a homosexual pair is a great leap for the LGBT community, Dean also promises everyone that the film will do so subtly, normalizing the idea of same-sex romances.
"It's really great in the future… The thing within this film is that we don't really italicize it. You know, it's just a thing, they're just two men who love each other and they're happy to be bad-ass soldiers," Dean explains.
Though Hollywood has been taking strides towards social progress, LGBT representation remains one of those issues that move along slowly, so it's great to see large franchises like Alien take steps to offer diversity and representation.
Alien: Covenant flies into the big screen on May 19, 2017.
Read: Watch Xenomorphs Attack in Intense Alien: Covenant Trailer
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