Kristen Stewart wants to play a ‘gay’ superhero

When asked at the Toronto International Film Festival what kind of superhero she would like to play, Kristen Stewart had just one requirement: “A gay one!”

Last week, in a Harper’s Bazaar interview, Stewart said that she had been told to hide her sexuality in order to better her career.

“I have fully been told, ‘If you just like do yourself a favour, and don’t go out holding your girlfriend’s hand in public, you might get a Marvel movie,’” she said, ahead of the release of the Charlie’s Angels reboot this month.

On Saturday, September 7, she told Variety in an interview at the film festival: “That’s been a conversation that’s always existed. I’ve always radically rejected it.”

The interviewer referenced the Harper’s Bazaar story, saying: “It would be pretty cool if you heard from Marvel after that interview.”

Stewart said she only specifically mentioned Marvel because it was an example of “a big conglomerate-y type thing”, but when Marvel star Anthony Mackie, who was sitting next to her, was asked: “Anthony, what superhero should Kristen be?” Stewart cut in, proclaiming: “A gay one!”

Kristen Stewart at the 76 Venice International Film Festival 2019. (Getty)

Kristen Stewart said that the conversation about sexuality is “more on the main stage” now.

Mackie and Stewart star together in Amazon Studios film Seberg, about the life of actress Jean Seberg who was targeted by the FBI.

She added that she feels “lucky to be able to reap the benefits of a new generation that accepts the progress of the conversation” about sexuality.

Stewart continued: “It’s nice to be able to talk about that in a way that people really understand now. Instead of sounding like I’m being crazy, like, ‘Don’t put me in a box! Ambiguity’s a cool thing!’

“Now, it’s, like ‘duh’. Before, I had to say it like it was some far out idea. Now it’s more on the main stage, which is rad.”

• Nov 29 2023

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