With a sequel in the works, 'Red, White & Royal Blue' stars reflect on its success — and R rating

amazon, with a sequel in the works, 'red, white & royal blue' stars reflect on its success — and r rating

Nicholas Galitzine, left, and Taylor Zakhar Perez, cast members in the film "Red, White & Royal Blue," pose for a portrait, Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — When “Red, White & Royal Blue” debuted last summer, it did so without fanfare or spectacle, landing squarely amid historic Hollywood strikes that precluded its stars from lending their press-friendly faces to promote the movie.

amazon, with a sequel in the works, 'red, white & royal blue' stars reflect on its success — and r rating

This image released by Amazon Prime shows Taylor Zakhar Perez, left, and Nicholas Galitzine in a scene from "Red, White & Royal Blue." (Prime Video via AP)

But the lack of publicity surrounding the Amazon Studios rom-com’s premiere didn’t deter it from becoming a hit with audiences. The streaming service said it was the top watched film on its platform for weeks, and that it brought in a surge of subscribers.

As a further testament to the movie’s success, the studio recently announced — amid a determined Emmy campaign — that a sequel was in the works, which is no small feat given the slowed production that has followed the resolution of the strikes.

For stars Nicholas Galitzine and Taylor Zakhar Perez, watching the film gain that kind of organic fanbase was particularly meaningful because of the role “Red, White & Royal Blue” plays in queer storytelling.

“After filming and kind of getting some space from it is when I really realized what this was going to do for the community. And people outside of the community,” Perez said. “It just provides empathy, you know?”

The film is reminiscent of the kind of fairytale flick that was seemingly ubiquitous two decades ago, familiar in every way except for the fact that its lovers are both men.

The movie, directed by Matthew López, the Tony-winning playwright of “The Inheritance” who co-wrote the script with Ted Malawer, is based on the bestselling novel by Casey McQuiston. It's a hate-turns-to-love story about a British prince who begins a secret romantic affair with the son of the American president (played in the movie by a drawling Uma Thurman).

amazon, with a sequel in the works, 'red, white & royal blue' stars reflect on its success — and r rating

This image released by Amazon Prime shows Taylor Zakhar Perez, left, and Nicholas Galitzine in a scene from "Red, White & Royal Blue." (Prime Video via AP)

Galitzine is fresh off a press tour for another Amazon rom-com — “The Idea of You” — where he plays a 24-year-old pop star who begins a relationship with a single 40-year-old mom (Anne Hathaway).

While its backdrops of Los Angeles and Coachella are miles and worlds away from the scenes of Washington and Buckingham Palace that adorn “Red, White & Royal Blue,” Galitzine says both films contain similar themes to which the actor is often drawn.

“I find people who are trapped by circumstance really interesting,” he said. “People may be thinking they’re one way, but not really sort of knowing their inner qualities and thoughts. I think that’s kind of been a recurring thing I’ve found quite interesting over the years.”

amazon, with a sequel in the works, 'red, white & royal blue' stars reflect on its success — and r rating

This image released by Amazon Prime shows Taylor Zakhar Perez, left, and Nicholas Galitzine in a scene from "Red, White & Royal Blue." (Prime Video via AP)

“Red, White & Royal Blue” contains fewer sex scenes than the novel upon which it is based, but that didn’t stop the film from getting an R rating from the Motion Picture Association, frustrating some fans following its release.

amazon, with a sequel in the works, 'red, white & royal blue' stars reflect on its success — and r rating

Nicholas Galitzine, left, and Taylor Zakhar Perez, cast members in the film "Red, White & Royal Blue," pose for a portrait, Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Both Galitzine and Perez said they were surprised when they found out about the rating and agreed with critics who said it wasn’t warranted.

“You Americans are very sensitive,” Galitzine observed before his co-star interjected, musing about what he perceives to be a double standard.

“You can point-blank shoot someone and it’s PG-13,” Perez said. “If you have queer romance on screen, it’s rated R.”

amazon, with a sequel in the works, 'red, white & royal blue' stars reflect on its success — and r rating

Taylor Zakhar Perez, left, and Nicholas Galitzine, cast members in "Red, White & Royal Blue," pose for a portrait, Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

amazon, with a sequel in the works, 'red, white & royal blue' stars reflect on its success — and r rating

"Red, White & Royal Blue" Portrait Session

amazon, with a sequel in the works, 'red, white & royal blue' stars reflect on its success — and r rating

"Red, White & Royal Blue" Portrait Session

OTHER NEWS

17 minutes ago

Julian Assange: The enigmatic WikiLeaks founder who divides opinion

17 minutes ago

Vikings Links: Could the Vikings sit JJ McCarthy for more than one season?

17 minutes ago

Chris Bowen lashes Coalition’s ‘half-baked yellow cake’ nuclear plan

17 minutes ago

Labor’s renewable plan ‘so well behind schedule’: Sussan Ley

17 minutes ago

Chiefs News: Kansas City to Partner With Hallmark on Original Romance Movie

17 minutes ago

'I Want To Be Ready!' Jets' McDonald Preparing for Breakout

17 minutes ago

All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson explains controversial selection calls

17 minutes ago

Does Commanders 'Aggressive' Offseason Mean They Rank With Texans?

17 minutes ago

Dr Doireann O'Leary on the triggers that cause acne in women way past their teens

17 minutes ago

Jets' Tyron Smith To Have Plenty of Vet Days

17 minutes ago

The New VW Golf R Wagon Is All the Car You Need but Can't Have

17 minutes ago

What to expect from Deion Sanders' Colorado this season

19 minutes ago

21 million Miniverse toy sets recalled after reports of burns and respiratory irritation

23 minutes ago

Pentagon chief speaks with Russian defense minister

23 minutes ago

Boots shoppers praise £5 moisturiser that's recommended by dermatologists and 'saves' skin

23 minutes ago

An offseason checklist for the Edmonton Oilers

24 minutes ago

Julian Assange’s eye-watering bill to fly free

24 minutes ago

Deschamps admits ‘we deserve to be second’ but expects France to click

24 minutes ago

‘Wholly unsuitable’ outdoor dining area removed following shock closure of Wexford pub

24 minutes ago

How do you spot an innovation stock?

24 minutes ago

Maguire lauds Latrell impact on Blues' Origin focus

24 minutes ago

Championship revenue exceeds wages - Deloitte report

24 minutes ago

Heartache for Dutch golfers denied Olympics by their own country: 'We don't think you're worthy'

24 minutes ago

MCG specialist addresses Maroons

24 minutes ago

4,000 missiles, 72-hour outages: Northern Israeli mayor warns of 'blackout scenario'

24 minutes ago

Patriots Reveal Full Training Camp Schedule, Joint Practice With NFC Contender

24 minutes ago

Senator Payman crossing floor a ‘big test’ for PM’s leadership: Sussan Ley

24 minutes ago

Gareth Southgate claims England fans are creating ‘unusual environment’

24 minutes ago

Crowded wildlife rehab center in Plano seeks community help

24 minutes ago

Assange’s eye-watering bill for freedom

24 minutes ago

Nuclear energy is the 'fastest way' to reduce emissions

24 minutes ago

Texans Helping Texans | Houston chef helps others break into the food industry

24 minutes ago

Assistant referee faints in Peru v Canada Copa America clash

24 minutes ago

Economists raise China growth forecasts as exports improve

27 minutes ago

How Origin coaches are feeling on game day

27 minutes ago

That’s a Wrap! The Best of Sydney Whisky Month Revealed

27 minutes ago

Australia miss out when it matters at T20 World Cup as David Warner bids farewell

30 minutes ago

Top of the FLOPS! L'Equipe hand one England star a 3/10 in their brutal ratings after drab 0-0 draw with Slovenia... but which player was deemed 'essential' to Euro 2024 hopes?

30 minutes ago

Cricket's integrity has been TRASHED as India receive helping hand for their T20 World Cup semi-final showdown with England, writes LAWRENCE BOOTH

30 minutes ago

From Centre Court to Euro 2024! Novak Djokovic jets into Munich to cheer on Serbia just hours after the tennis superstar practiced at Wimbledon as he continues recovery from knee surgery