Chris Evans Calls Out Critics Of Same-Sex Kiss In 'Lightyear'

Chris Evans has some words for those bothered by the same-sex kiss in ‘Lightyear’

“Every time there’s been social advancement as we wake up, the American story, the human story is one of constant social awakening and growth and that’s what makes us good.”

Joe Maher/Getty/PixarsLightyear/Instagram

The newest Pixar movie starring Chris Evans, Lightyear, is based on Buzz Lightyear —the human astronaut that inspired the action figure toy in Toy Story—and it’s already garnering a lot of talk, even though it just premiered this week.

During one scene in the movie, a female space ranger (played by Uzo Aduba) kisses her wife. Unfortunately, the scene has caused many critics of the film to share their disdain for the LGBTQ+ representation in the film. The movie has even been banned in 13 countries due to the kiss, including Saudia Arabia, Kuwait, and Malaysia.

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A post shared by Disney and Pixar’s Lightyear (@pixarslightyear)

When asked about his thoughts on the criticisms being lobbed at Lightyear, Chris Evans—whose brother, Scott, is gay and who has always been a proponent of the LGBTQ+ community—didn’t mince words.

“The real truth is those people are idiots,” he said during an interview with Reuters. “Every time there’s been social advancement as we wake up, the American story, the human story is one of constant social awakening and growth and that’s what makes us good.”

The moment where the kiss occurs is very brief, and happens during a celebration of the relationship between the two married women. It shows a healthy, successful relationship—not unlike the many heteronormative relationships Disney/Pixar has depicted in multiple films.

‘The real truth is those people are idiots’: Chris Evans and the cast of 'Lightyear' react to criticism of the Pixar animated film for featuring a same-sex couple https://t.co/9CU8O749HI pic.twitter.com/OFLdCTNw3w
— Reuters (@Reuters) June 15, 2022

“There’s always going to be people who are afraid and unaware and trying to hold on to what was before. But those people die off like dinosaurs,” Evans said. “I think the goal is to pay them no mind, march forward and embrace the growth that makes us human.”

Lightyear producer Galyn Susman tells Reuters she wonders why more viewers don’t get upset when “failed relationships” are shown, particularly because this moment shows a happy one.

“We have a relationship here which lasts an entire lifetime,” she says. “It’s loving, it’s supportive and it shows Buzz exactly what he doesn’t have and that’s the whole point. We should all be so lucky to have that kind of relationship in our life.”