When it comes to the X-Men, it's best to stick with what you know. Openly gay director Bryan Singer has signed on to direct the upcoming "X-Men: First Class" sequel based on the famous "Days of Future Past" storyline. He rose to popularity as the director of the first two installments, and imbued "X2: X-Men United" with queer themes that barely qualify as undertones. For example, during opening weekend, a gaggle of gays behind me gasped when Colossus transformed from shirtless hunk into his metal form, and I would have bet money that Cyclops and Professor X were going to make out during Jean's death scene. Anyways, while it's clear there are analogies between mutant liberation and LGBT equality, that doesn't necessarily mean we'll get some man-on-man action. However, I'm happy to see that Singer is in the director's chair and not "X-Men: The Last Stand"'s Brett Ratner (who thinks "rehersal's for fags") or "X-Men Origins: Wolverine"'s Gavin Hood (who's directing homophobe Orson Scott Card's "Ender's Game").
Meanwhile, over in England, "Sherlock" and "Star Trek Into Darkness" star Benedict Cumberbatch is headlining a biopic about tragic Beatles manager Brian Epstein. Despite contributing a wealth of talent to the early part of the Fab Four's career, Epstein struggled with his homosexuality and failed to overcome his gambling and drug accidtions, sucumming to an overdose in 1967. Cumberbatch previously played gay in last year's "Tinker Tailer Soldier Spy" as, what else, a closeted homosexual.
Since "X-Men: Days of Future Past" isn't in theaters until 2014 and the Epstein film doesn't have a release date, kick back and watch the trailer for "X2: X-Men United," which opens with Bobby Drakes infamous "coming out mutant" scene.
Bryan Singer image via Queerty. Benedict Cumberbatch via Vulture. Homophobia courtesy Ratner, Card, et al.
