Billy Eichner: Homophobia 'probably was a factor' in Bros flop

Billy Eichner believes homophobia was a factor in the flop of his gay romcom 'Bros'.

Although Billy deleted tweets in which he referenced homophobia as a reason for 'Bros' low box-office takings on its opening weekend, he insisted that it was one of the factors for the surprise flop.

Speaking at the New Yorker Festival, Billy said: "Homophobia is a bigger problem than as it pertains to this silly rom-com we made, you know what I mean? But do I think it’s a factor? Yes. I think in certain parts of the country, it probably was a factor."

However, he admitted that there were other issues too, including the wide theatrical release and the marketing of the movie.

He said: "There’s a lot of factors to it. To open this movie, in this many theatres, a rom-com in 2022 — there are rom-coms with mega-stars, which struggle at the box office, and a lot of the biggest comedy stars are taking their movies to streaming. And for good reason. That seems to be where people want to watch these movies. I still love seeing these movies in the theatre. I grew up going to see all these romantic comedies at the movies with my parents.

"It was a bold swing to open this movie in this many movie theatres without big movie stars."

He added about the marketing: "I think what we were doing is trying to find every which way to try to motivate people because the odds were so stacked against us for so many reasons.

"It’s just funny, you know, life is absurd. It’s just a rom-com. We wanted to make a Nora Ephron movie about horny gay guys, and it’s inspired a lot of thinkpieces and op-eds. I didn’t know people were so interested in me.

"I love the movie, and I just hope more and more people keep discovering it."