Kevin Zegers talks Alec Lightwood’s sexuality with OUT.com
Kevin Zegers spoke to OUT.com about his portrayal of Alec Lightwood in the forthcoming The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones. Kevin addressed Alec’s sexuality and how he isn’t all surprised about the fandom’s love and acceptance of the romantic relationship between Alec and Magnus Bane.
Eight years later, Zegers has the chance to shift perceptions again, this time in the adventure drama The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, based on Cassandra Clare’s best-selling novels. Zegers plays tattooed gay hero Alec Lightwood opposite Lily Collins and Jamie Campbell Bower, marking the first time audiences will see a character openly struggling with his sexuality in a big-screen young-adult fantasy franchise. The film’s PG-13 rating guarantees that Alec’s sexuality, unlike Toby’s, will be light on the sex, but for Zegers that’s beside the point. “What we didn’t want was to make him this stereotypically one-sided guy,” he says. “For his sexuality to be at the forefront would have been a mistake. I wanted it to be just one of the aspects of him we explored.”
The supernatural saga, which Zegers describes as “Harry Potter meets The Hunger Games,” follows Alec and two other half-angel warriors, known as Shadowhunters, who take Clary (Collins) under their wings to help rescue her mother (Game of Thrones’s Lena Headey) from the secret New York City demon underworld they fight to contain. Meanwhile, Alec is crushing on Magnus, the High Warlock of Brooklyn. Their flirtation develops into one of the central romances in the book series, one that has inspired a fair share of fan-produced slash fiction. Zegers isn’t at all surprised by the popularity of the couple’s storyline. “For my generation and the generation really interested in these books, something like this isn’t as big a deal as it used to be,” he says. “If we’d made this a few years ago, it would’ve been a different story.”
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So glad to see an author and director treating this topic with such respect and normalcy. For too long, it’s been “othered” in pop culture; even by artists trying to encourage acceptance, it becomes all about stereotypes and sexuality as #1 in a character’s personality. Kudos to Clare, Zegers, and the director for making Alec a good role model and a new archetype! 🙂
I love that Cassie showcased their relationship the same way as the other heterosexual relationships. This way, people see that love is love. I’ve always believed in equality, so it will be nice to see it on screen.
I really hope that people (non fans) are not going to make a joke out of it and Make a big ordeal about it with their immature attitudes. i think this fandom and this story deserve some respect for what it is and not be so small minded and ignorant. I’m sorry for venting out I just really want to get it out if my system and be very honest bc I’m very protective when it comes to something that I and other people Care about
He is amazing. And an above outstanding actor 🙂 so continue Kevin, 99.99% of us will be behind your back guaranteed 🙂
kevin you rock and i’m glad they explore multiple sides of alec!
I absolutely LOVE Magnus and Alec. They are just such awesome, great characters. I really hope Cassie brings them back together in CoHF. Well, we did see the teaser art of them from Cassandra Jean… I have high hopes!!!
I love that in public media we can now portray a homosexual character and have him/her be accepted by viewers as well as by critics .in this series by cassandra clare(a truly astounding author) cassandra writes of young love and passion something that is to be preserved and praised among literature.