Billy Eichner’s movie Bros had a disappointing opening weekend at the box office, and Eichner is blaming it on homophobia. Bros has made history as the first film from a major studio to feature an all LGBTQ+ cast, and while the reviews for the film have been strong, the box office performance has been lackluster. According to Variety, the movie only made $4.8 million on its opening weekend, about half the money Universal Studios projected the film to make. Eichner took to Twitter to denounce straight people and “homophobic weirdos” for the film’s disappointing performance. Nevertheless, he stands by the work he has created.
Everyone who ISN’T a homophobic weirdo should go see BROS tonight! You will have a blast! And it is special and uniquely powerful to see this particular story on a big screen, esp for queer folks who don’t get this opportunity often. I love this movie so much. GO BROS!!! ❤️?
— billy eichner (@billyeichner) October 2, 2022
Is Billy Eichner Right to Blame Homophobia for ‘Bros’ Failure
The article from Variety theorizes that while homophobia may have played a role in Bros having a rough start at the box office, lack of star power may also be a contributing factor. Eichner (who voiced Timon in The Lion King remake) and his co-star Luke Mcfarlane may not have the star-power needed to make an original title a box office hit. Nowadays, superhero movies and horror movies are thriving the most in theaters, and for any other genre to be a hit, star power is a must. While actors such as Tom Holland or Timothée Chalamet may be able to catch a theatergoer’s interest, Eichner just doesn’t have such a devoted fanbase.
Despite Bros having a disappointing opening weekend, Deadline reports that Eichner still takes great pride in the film. He tweeted that he snuck in and sat in the back of a sold-out screening in Los Angeles. “The audience howled with laughter start to finish, burst into applause at the end, and some were wiping away tears as they walked out,” Eichner wrote. “Really. I am VERY proud of this movie.”
