Bridesmaids and Last Christmas director says ‘male humour’ always, always leads to homophobia
Paul Feig (Dia Dipasupil/Getty)
Bridesmaids director Paul Feig has said that male humour always devolves into “homophobia, punching and name-calling”.
The director made the comments in an interview with The Guardian ahead of the release of his new film Last Christmas, which stars Emilia Clarke and is set for release on 15 November.
In the interview, the director spoke about how all of his films have had female leads, and said this was spurred on by growing up surrounded by girls.
“I liked the humour of joking around with my female friends because male humour devolves, eventually, into homophobia, punching and name-calling,” he said.
Paul Feig was interested in ‘goofy fun’ instead of ‘male humour’.
“I was an only child. I grew up next to a family of eight kids, six of whom were girls. I liked the humour of joking around with my female friends,” he told the publication.
Instead of joking around with other boys, he was interested in having “goofy fun.”
In the wide-ranging interview, Feig also reflected on making Bridesmaids.
I liked the humour of joking around with my female friends because male humour devolves, eventually, into homophobia, punching and name-calling.
“I remember going: ‘Oh my God, this is what I want to do – a movie filled with all these funny women.’ Then it fell away for three years. I would call Judd [Apatow] occasionally, and be like: ‘Is that movie around?’ And he’s say: ‘I don’t think it’s gonna go.’”
Last Christmas is inspired by the Wham! hit and features unreleased music by George Michael.
Feig’s upcoming film Last Christmas is inspired by Wham!’s 1986 hit of the same name and features unreleased music by the late George Michael.
Michael had signed on to participate in the film’s creation before his death on Christmas Day in 2016.
Comedian Bryony Kimmings – who wrote the screenplay for the film alongside Emma Thompson – told RadioTimes.com that Michael had been involved in the film’s conception.
“When I came on board, George was up for it, he’d already signed something to say yes, but he’s passed away, and Greg and Emma were still very keen to write it,” she said.
She also said that the first draft of the script featured a trans lead.
“[When] I wrote my draft, I tried to slip in some trans people and make sure there was queer politics in there,” she said.
“I don’t know how much of that remains!” she added.
LGBT+ filmgoers were disappointed when the trailer was released in August, as it looks as though the film will not feature queer characters or politics.
