By the look of it, Zack Snyder’s Gerard Butler-led 2007 action-adventure movie, 300, seems to be dominated by alpha males with violence radiating through their eyes. However, Snyder, co-writer and the director of the movie, feels differently.
While the director confirmed the episodic rerun of the popular action saga adding up to its universe, he explained that there might be some elements of homoeroticism. In its essence, Snyder emphasized that he would make what Frank Miller and Lynn Varley’s comic book dictates. Also, the director sees his 2007 movie to be one of the gayest movies ever made.
Zack Snyder Responds to the Criticism of 300 As Homophobic
Following the release of the movie in 2007, Zack Snyder was often accused of the homophobic portrayal of the characters, primarily the central male characters, who are depicted as alpha males. Nearly 18 years later, Snyder responded to the criticism with his wild justification. Appearing in an episode of The Joe Rogan Experience podcast, the Man of Steel director explained one dialogue that can have two perspectives. “People have accused me of being homophobic or whatever,” Snyder told Rogan.
“There’s that one line where he says, ‘Philosophers and boy lovers,’ but I think that he’s clearly being cheeky, Leonidas. I of course was hyper-aware at the time that the reality of Spartan culture was like, obviously he means philosophies and boy lovers…he’s using that maybe as a derogatory comment but he’s a lover of men, probably.”
The director added that he intends to make the upcoming 300 series following the same traits or maybe even more. “If we go forward and do more in the ‘300’ universe, I would want to bring that part in,” Snyder said. So, fans can expect a subversive twist in the series.
Zack Snyder Explains Why 300 Is One Of The Gayest Movies Ever Made
Those who have seen the original 300 movie need no reminder that it was male-centric, male-obsessed, and male-dominated. And for the obvious outlines, some fans and critics have dubbed the Snyder movie starring Scottish actor Gerard Butler as homophobic. However, the director explained that there could be another perspective. How about seeing it as one of the gayest movies ever made? “As we go forward, I would love to just kind of stress…” Snyder told Rogan in his podcast.
“Look, ‘300’ in some ways is one of the gayest movies ever made. It is incredibly male-centric, male-obsessed. You really feel very strong male energy from that movie, even though Gorgo is an incredibly strong female character. Maybe that was just me understanding, doing the research and understanding Spartan culture that that energy was in there. It was important to make sure there was a visceral sexuality to the way the men actually interacted. Regardless of whether you acknowledge it, it’s there.”
Snyder was keen on defending his narrative as he revealed that his research for the movie radiated the utmost male energy from the very Spartan culture. Lena Headey’s Queen Gorgo has strong feminine traits in the movie, but considering the landscape, it was limited. Now, it would be interesting to see what Snyder is cooking for the upcoming series in the 300 universe.
300 is available to stream on Apple TV+.
