Actor and activist Chris Evans on Tuesday slammed critics who don’t approve of a gay kiss scene in the latest “Toy Story” spinoff, “Lightyear.”
Disney/Pixar reinstated the same-sex kiss between two female characters, Alisha and her wife, following Florida’s Parental Rights in Education bill, which bans classroom discussion on anything related to sexuality and gender to children in third-grade and younger.
“The real truth is, those people are idiots,” Evans told Reuters, slamming critics of the kiss. “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.”
Evans similarly gushed over the gay kiss in an interview with Variety on Monday.
“Disney put a line in the sand saying, we’re putting this back in, but also, we’re not going to remove it for any other territories, in these places that would have a problem with it,” a Variety reporter said. “What did you make of the company making that decision?”
“I mean, it’s great,” the actor responded. “As great as it is — and you know, I’ve been asked the question a few times — it’s nice, and it’s wonderful, it makes me happy.”
“It’s tough to not be a little frustrated that it even has to be a topic of discussion,” Evans continued. “That it is this kind of ‘news.’ The goal is that we can get to a point where it is the norm, and that this doesn’t have to be some uncharted waters, that eventually this is just the way it is. That representation across the board is how we make films.”
“Look, it’s an honor to be a part of something that is taking those steps, but the goal is to look back on this time and just be shocked that it took us this long to get there,” the “Captain America” star added.
Disney also notably recast Tim Allen for Evans as the iconic voice of the character Buzz Lightyear. Allen is openly conservative.
Actress Patricia Heaton, who is also openly conservative, slammed Disney on Tuesday for the replacement, asking why they would “completely castrate this iconic, beloved character,” The Daily Wire reported.
“Saw the trailer for Buzz Lightyear and all I can say is Disney/Pixar made a HUGE mistake in not casting my pal [Tim Allen],” Heaton said on Twitter. “Tim Allen in the role that he originated, the role that he owns. Tim IS Buzz! Why would they completely castrate this iconic, beloved character?”
(Disclosure: The Daily Wire has announced plans for kids’ entertainment content.)