Every week, The GLAAD Wrap brings you LGBTQ-related entertainment news highlights, fresh stuff to watch out for, and fun diversions to help you kick off the weekend.
1.) Gay writer, comedian, and actor Julio Torres’ directorial debut Problemista is hitting theaters for a limited release on March 1 before going wide on March 22! The surreal adventure film highlights the pitfalls of inequity in New York City and the U.S. Immigration system through the story of Alejandro (Torres), an aspiring toy designer from El Salvador who works for an erratic art world outcast, played by Academy Award-winner Tilda Swinton. The LGBTQ-centric cast also includes out actors James Scully, Spike Einbinder, Larry Owens, Kelly McCormack, and Megan Stalter. Watch the video release announcement below and watch Problemista in March at a theater near you!
2.) Indie drama Close to You, produced by trans actor Elliot Page, has been acquired by Greenwich Entertainment for a Summer 2024 theatrical release in the U.S. Page portrays Sam, who apprehensively returns home to visit his family for his dad’s birthday. Estranged from his parents and siblings since his transition, the raw and emotional reunion allows Sam to finally confront long-buried feelings, a first love with loose ends, and a newfound love and confidence in himself.
Introducing our newest acquisition CLOSE TO YOU starring @TheElliotPage. Coming to theaters this summer!@SavageDominic @DEADLINE #CloseToYouMovie #DeadlineHollywood https://t.co/nG8fekMrmh
— Greenwich Entertainment (@GreenwichET) January 17, 2024
3.) Gay comedian, writer, and actor Joel Kim Booster is reuniting with Searchlight Pictures to write and produce Again Again Again. The film centers on Gus, the man of honor for his closest friend’s wedding weekend, who is tasked with making sure the event goes smoothly. But when Gus’s charismatic yet unhinged boyfriend Hal shows up unexpectedly, chaos ensues and threatens both the wedding and their relationship.
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4.) Lesbian Emmy Award-winning actress Kate McKinnon has joined the ensemble cast of Warner Bros’ Minecraft. Based on the wildly popular video game, the pic follows the malevolent Ender Dragon’s path of destruction, which prompts a young girl and her group of unlikely adventurers to set out to save the Overworld.
Kate McKinnon & Jemaine Clement Join Jason Momoa ‘Minecraft’ Gang At Warner Bros https://t.co/uaaKNGikGP
— Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) January 18, 2024
5.) Hulu has debuted the official trailer of Life & Beth season two, featuring out guest stars Beanie Feldstein, Big Freedia, and Margaret Cho! In the season, Beth (Amy Schumer) and John’s (Michael Cera) relationship grows more serious and Beth begins to examine the possibilities of marriage and having a family while seeking answers for their communication problems. Stream all 10 episodes of season two on February 16 and watch the trailer below!
6.) Peacock has given a series order to comedy Laid, starring Academy Award-nominee Stephanie Hsu. Written and executive produced by lesbian multi-hyphenate Nahnatchka Khan and Sally Bradford McKenna, the show is based on the Australian series of the same name. In the rom-com, a woman (Hsu) finds out her former lovers are dying in unusual ways and must go back through her sex timeline to confront her past and ultimately move forward.
Stephanie Hsu to Star in ‘Laid’ Comedy From Nahnatchka Khan for Peacock https://t.co/09VN5LlD5Z
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) January 11, 2024
7.) Gay Emmy-winner Nathan Lane has boarded Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story. In the second installment of gay writer, director, and producer Ryan Murphy’s true-crime anthology series, Lane plays writer and investigative journalist Dominick Dunne, who covered the Menendez brothers trial for Vanity Fair. Lane joins previously announced gay actor Cooper Koch, who plays Erik, one of the infamous brothers.
‘Monsters’: Nathan Lane Cast As Dominick Dunne In Netflix Series, Reuniting With Ryan Murphy https://t.co/7hShvXyORK
— Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) January 15, 2024
8.) The official 2024 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival lineup has been announced, featuring a bevy of queer talent. Out artists include Chappell Roan, Ice Spice, Reneé Rapp, Kevin Abstract, Victoria Monét, Young Miko, Ludmilla, The Japanese House, Tinashe,The Blessed Madonna, Brittany Howard, and more. Don’t miss your favorite LGBTQ performer take the stage by registering for presale today! In other music event news, rising superstar Joy Oladokun is kicking off 2024 with Nu Deco at the Bandshell in Miami, Florida! Inspired by genres of folk, R&B, rock, and pop, Oladokun’s music is heavily influenced by her experience as a queer person of color in the U.S. Stay tuned for Oladokun’s forthcoming full-length album, Proof of Life, and buy tickets to tomorrow’s show now!
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9.) Queer Brisbane based indie-pop riser Asha Jefferies has released a music video to new single “Brand New Bitch,” which announces the debut record Ego Ride, set for release April 12; watch the music video below! Additionally, bisexual Grammy-winner Kali Uchis has debuted a new session video for single “Igual Que Un Ángel,” starring Mexican singer Peso Pluma. Stream the recently released Spanish-language album Orquídeas now and watch the official video below!
10.) Queer NYC rapper Dai Burger has dropped a music video for her new single “Masterpiece,” the second release from her upcoming Dai Dreamin EP, out February 13! In the song, Dai cheekily transforms Mozart’s iconic classical piece “Eine Kleine Nachtmusik” into a slick trap beat upon which she lays neat, clever rhymes; watch the music video below! Finally, out singer-songwriter Wrabel has released “the village (transfeminine version),” an update to his previous transmasculine version of the song.
11.) GLAAD Media Award-nominated programs American Fiction and The Color Purple swept the 24th Annual Black Reel Awards this week! American Fiction scored six awards, including Outstanding Film, making director Cord Jefferson the first person to win all of the directing and writing awards in the same year. The Color Purple earned a grand total of nine awards, becoming the most awarded musical in Black Reel Awards history. In the television category, Abbott Elementary led the pack as Outstanding Comedy Series, winning all of the acting awards in the category. Additional LGBTQ-inclusive winners include Little Richard: I Am Everything, Better Call Saul, The Last of Us, P-Valley, and Power Book II: Ghost. Check out the full list of winners! In more award show news, the 2024 EE BAFTA Film Awards nominations have been announced. LGBTQ-centric nods include Anatomy of a Fall, Maestro, All of Us Strangers, The Color Purple and American Fiction. Out actor Colman Domingo is also up for Leading Actor for his portrayal of Bayard Rustin in the GLAAD Media Award-nominated biographical drama Rustin. Winners will be announced February 18 on BBC1 and iPlayer!
Black Reel Awards Reveals Winners Of Film And Television Categories; ‘American Fiction’ And ‘The Color Purple’ Took Home Top Honors https://t.co/fZZIwfqxLF
— Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) January 17, 2024