Recasting But I’m A Cheerleader If It Were Made Today

The 1999 Jamie Babbit film But I’m A Cheerleader is a largely underrated LGBTQ+ cult classic. A campy comedy about a teenage girl who is sent to conversion therapy upon being suspected of being lesbian, the film was originally met with mixed reviews and controversy as it was perhaps a bit ahead of its time.

But I’m A Cheerleader could have easily been made today instead of the late ’90s with the positive progression of LGBTQ+ representation in Hollywood. While the 1999 film is incredibly well-done and doesn’t necessarily need a remake, it would certainly thrive in the current climate, especially with a wide array of openly LGBTQ+ actors added to the mix to play the memorable ensemble of characters.

12 Megan – Dove Cameron

Originally played by Natasha Lyonne, the character of Megan is the titular cheerleader who struggles to come to terms with her sexuality throughout the movie. She’s proudly feminine with a button-nose appearance, making her perfect for Descendants’ Dove Cameron.

Openly bisexual herself, Dove Cameron would fit easily into this peppy role. As she ventures away from her Disney Channel characters, the role of Megan in But I’m A Cheerleader would be great for Cameron if the film were made today as it would merge her youthfulness with more adult themes.

11 Graham – Barbie Ferreira

Graham is Megan’s love interest with an angsty attitude originally played by Clea Duvall. Today, Barbie Ferreira would fit well in the role instead.

Not only does Barbie Ferreira have a similar appearance to Duvall’s original Graham, Ferreira has self-identified as queer, making her an ideal fit for this prominent lesbian role. What’s more, Ferreira definitely has the edge needed for the character of Graham as seen in her role as the smart and cunning Kat on Euphoria.

10 Mike – Colman Domingo

Mike is the male counselor of the conversion camp who actively suppresses his own gay tendencies. He was originally played RuPaul in a role more masculine than fans have perhaps ever seen him before. Today, the macho role could instead be given to Colman Domingo, known for a wide range of projects, some of the most recent being Euphoria, Candyman, and Zola.

While Domingo usually does takes on dramatic roles, it would be great to see the openly gay actor go down a more comedic route. His talent is indisputable, and with Mike’s character being so dialogue heavy and vital to the story, there’s no doubt Domingo would shine as this important character.

9 Mary – Sarah Paulson

The owner and female counselor of the conversion camp, Mary is one of the most essential characters in the film. Mary is stern, anal, and aggressively anti-LGBTQ+, but in the light-hearted nature of the film, it would be hilariously ironic for one of Hollywood’s favorite lesbian actors Sarah Paulson to play her.

Sarah Paulson has definitely played some unlikeable characters on American Horror Story, all of which prove that she would thrive in this conniving role. Not only that, Paulson has previously played similar roles as evil women in power, which makes her an obvious choice to play Mary.

8 Hilary – Auli’i Cravalho

When it comes to the others in the conversion camp, the first person Megan meets is Hilary, an overly enthusiastic, feminine girl who shows her around. Originally played by dynamic actor Melanie Lynskey, Moana‘s Auli’i Cravalho would be a great fit instead if the film were made today.

Like Hilary in the movie, Cravalho has a sweet, youthful appearance, and her background in musicals suggests that she has the extroverted personality needed for the role of Hilary. Plus, Cravalho is openly bisexual, which would make her performance more authentic.

7 Sinead – Milly Shapiro

The resident emo girl of the conversion therapy clan, Sinead is an unforgettable presence in But I’m A Cheerleader. One of the most fitting actors for this role today would be Milly Shapiro, best known for their role in Hereditary.

Milly Shapiro has not done much acting since starring in Hereditary, but their updated look in real life fits perfectly for the role of Sinead, so much so that Shapiro could easily do her own styling for the character. Shapiro is also a lesbian, which is once again great for character authenticity.

6 Jan – Ian Alexander

The character Jan has one of the most interesting storylines in But I’m A Cheerleader. Jan is clearly coded as a transgender male rather than a lesbian woman, as the character’s monologue about not being like the rest of the camp’s participants and the character design suggests. If the film were made today, Jan would undoubtedly be canonically transmasculine, instead of the identity being heavily implied.

For this reason, The OA and Star Trek: Discovery actor Ian Alexander would be great for the role. Alexander is one of the prominent non-binary actors of today, playing trans roles as a trans person himself. Their open gender fluidity would add much needed depth to Jan’s character.

5 Joel – Noah Galvin

One of the many male counterparts at the conversion camp, Joel is a Jewish boy struggling to accept his sexuality under his religious background. Today, this role would be best played by Jewish actor Noah Galvin.

Noah Galvin is openly gay and has played many gay roles in the past, such as in Booksmart and The Real O’Neals. Though a bit on the nose for his typecast, it can’t be denied that Galvin excels in these kinds of roles, and it would be ideal that the actor playing Joel would relate with his identities.

4 Andre – Bretman Rock

The most flamboyant of the boys is Andre, a character with hilarious one-liners. Bretman Rock, internet celebrity and LGBTQ+ advocate, would excel in a role like this today.

Though Bretman Rock hasn’t done much professional acting in his career, his online presence consists of many funny and entertaining videos, making him a good fit for the role. When comparing Bretman Rock to the original Andre, the similarities are clear, and Rock’s potential shines though given his lively personality.

3 Dolph – Ncuti Gatwa

Originally played by Dante Basco, the voice actor of Avatar: The LastAirbender‘s Prince Zuko, Dolph is the jock of the boys at the conversion camp who ends up falling for Clayton despite being taught against doing so. His character is important as he becomes somewhat of a sidekick for Megan towards the end of the movie.

Today, Dolph would best be played today by Ncuti Gatwa. His role as Eric, one of the best characters on Sex Education, makes him a great option for the role. At times, Dolph is a voice of reason in But I’m A Cheerleader, similar to that of Gatwa’s Sex Education character.

2 Clayton – Justice Smith

Openly queer actor Justice Smith is known for Detective Pikachu and The Get Down among others titles, but his role on HBO Max’s Generation most closely matches the character of Clayton, another one of the boys in the conversion camp crew.

Though Clayton does not have too much personality in the film besides being Dolph’s love interest, Justice Smith could bring a new breath of life to this character. Given Smith’s talented character range, he would surely make Clayton much more memorable.

1 Lloyd & Larry – Billy Porter & Billy Eichner

As the couple who houses and takes care of LGBTQ+ kids who manage to break out of the conversion camp, Lloyd and Larry are the saving graces of the story. If But I’m A Cheerleader were made today, these lovable roles should be played by two of the most well-known gay men in Hollywood: Billy Porter and Billy Eichner.

Both actors are hilarious in their own rights and have been trailblazers for LGBTQ+ representation in film and television. When it comes to the silly yet sincere Lloyd and Larry, both Eichner or Porter could excel in either role.

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