Ethan Clade in Disney’s Strange World is gay — but so what? One of the beautiful things about this character is that he just… is.
Ethan In Strange World Is Gay…So What?
Strange World is the newest Walt Disney Animation Studios feature film. It tells the story of the Clade family as they go on an epic adventure inspired by pulp magazines and films. The family is lovable right from the start, but Ethan Clade (voiced by Jaboukie Young-White) is very much the heart of the film. He is a normal teenager who is in the process of trying to find himself and learn who he is. He has a crush, which is adorable to watch play out on screen, and it just so happens that crush is on a boy.
The best part about this is that it isn’t a big coming out plot point of the story — Ethan is gay and that’s it. His parents know and accept him for who he is. In fact, his dad, Searcher Clade (voiced by Jake Gyllenhaal) goes so far as to embarrass him in front of his crush — something that parents are very good at doing. Allowing members of the LGBTQ+ community to see themselves on screen is extremely important, because everyone deserves that.
When asked about Ethan, Producer Roy Conli says that this started from the very beginning of the creation of Ethan. “The idea that we wanted to have a inclusionary and diverse world that reflected our team, reflects the world, and the people we see outside – that was big at the very beginning. And I think the most important thing about Ethan is his compassion and his role in the film.”
Conli goes on to explain what Ethan brings to Strange World. “You have Jaeger, who is the conqueror, you have Searcher who is the controller, and then you have Ethan, who is the conservationist. He has that compassion for nature that we all need to have. And my hope is that he’s gonna touch hearts around the world.”
Director Don Hall says that he thinks it is hugely important to include Ethan in the film in a way that just feels natural to the story, without a focus on the fact that he is gay. “We love Ethan too. He’s just a beautiful character, a wonderful character. And Jaboukie did, obviously, an amazing job voicing that character. We’re just so proud to be able to put this movie out. I know people are really going to respond to Ethan.”
Disney’s Strange World hits theaters on November 23rd, so gather up your family and go see it on the biggest screen possible.
Full Strange World Filmmakers Interview
Be sure to check out our full interview with Strange World Filmmakers Don Hall and Qui Nguyen to hear about the inspirations behind this beautiful film and more.
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About Strange World
The feature film introduces a legendary family of explorers, the Clades, as they attempt to navigate an uncharted, treacherous land alongside a motley crew that includes a mischievous blob, a three-legged dog and a slew of ravenous creatures. “Inspired by classic adventure stories,” said director Don Hall, “‘Strange World’ is an original animated adventure/comedy about three generations of the Clade family who overcome their differences while exploring a strange, wondrous and oftentimes hostile world.”
The voice cast includes Jake Gyllenhaal as Searcher Clade, a family man who finds himself out of his element on an unpredictable mission; Dennis Quaid as Searcher’s larger-than-life explorer father, Jaeger; Jaboukie Young-White as Searcher’s 16-year-old son, Ethan, who longs for adventure; Gabrielle Union as Meridian Clade, an accomplished pilot and Searcher’s partner in all things; and Lucy Liu as Callisto Mal, Avalonia’s fearless leader who spearheads the exploration into the strange world.
“Strange World” is helmed by Don Hall (Oscar®-winning “Big Hero 6,” “Raya and the Last Dragon”) and co-director/writer Qui Nguyen (co-writer “Raya and the Last Dragon”), and produced by Roy Conli (Oscar®-winning “Big Hero 6,” “Tangled”).
Strange World comes to theaters everywhere on November 23rd.
Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. On Camera personality and TV / Film Critic with 10+ years of experience in video editing, writing, editing, moderating, and hosting.