Amy Poehler, left, and Billy Eichner tried to persuade people in New York City to sing Christmas carols with them in a 2013 episode of “Billy on the Street.” Photo: Fuse.
Billy Eichner’s upcoming gay romantic comedy, “Bros,” will be the first studio film featuring a principal cast of LGBTQ actors playing not only queer roles, but also heterosexual characters.
Luke Macfarlane (“Brothers and Sisters” and “Single All the Way”) has been cast as the lead opposite Eichner.
Universal Picures has described “Bros” as a “a smart, swoony and heartfelt comedy about finding sex, love and romance amidst the madness.”
Eichner, 43, also will make history of his own as the first openly gay man to co-write and star in his own studio film.
“I could not be more proud or excited about the historic nature of the all openly LGBTQ+ cast of ‘Bros,’” Eichner said in a statement. “After queer actors have spent decades watching straight actors capitalize both artistically and professionally by playing LGBTQ+ characters, it is a long overdue dream come true to be able to assemble this remarkable, hilarious cast.
“And while ‘Bros’ may be the first of its kind in several ways, my real hope is that it is only the first of many opportunities for openly LGBTQ+ ensembles to shine and show the world all we are capable of as actors, beyond just being the wacky sidekick, token queer or a straight movie star’s ‘gay best friend’,” Eichner said.
“And beyond all of that, this cast is fucking hysterical and you’re going to love them.”
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Five other people also were announced as cast members:
- Guy Branum (truTV’s “The Game Show”)
- Guillermo Diaz (“Law & Order: Organized Crime” and “How to Get Away with Murder”)
- Miss Lawrence (“The United States vs. Billie Holiday”)
- TS Madison (“Zola”)
- Symone (“RuPaul’s Drag Race”)
Nicholas Stoller (“Forgetting Sarah Marshall”) has signed as director.
Universal Pictures has scheduled “Bros” for release on Aug. 12, 2022.
