Elliot Page has expressed regret over a homophobic joke featured in the movie Juno, where he starred as the titular character.
The 2007 hit film, directed by Jason Reitman and penned by Diablo Cody, soared to success, earning Page an Oscar nomination and clinching the coveted Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.
However, in a 2017 interview with Bustle, Page revisited a scene from the movie that now weighs heavily on his conscience.
Reflecting on a controversial line from Juno, Page disclosed, "It wasn’t something I totally registered at the time, but, of course, now that I’m older I do. So many movies I loved as a kid are just rampant with homophobia and transphobia and biphobia, and I’m not excusing it by any means.”
The actor acknowledged the problematic nature of the dialogue, which sparked a conversation about the prevalence of homophobia and transphobia in cinema.
“It really hurts the industry and it really hurts film,” he said. “We need more stories. We need more representation. We need more points of view.”
In the scene in question, there's a discussion about names for the baby Juno is carrying, with Jason Bateman’s character sharing that his wife "likes Madison".
Juno then responds: "Madison? Wait, hold on…Isn’t that like a little, gay?
Perhaps ironically, Page found solace in portraying a pregnant teenager in Juno, a role that challenged conventional gender norms and offered a glimpse of freedom beyond the binary.
Page's introspection extends beyond his role in Juno.
In his memoir Pageboy, he delves into an intimate relationship with co-star Olivia Thirlby during filming. Describing their connection as "palpable," Page revealed moments of intimacy that unfolded both on and off set.
Thirlby, now 37, was "about to start making lunch, when she looked directly at me and said point-blank, 'I'm really attracted to you,'" Page recalled in the book.
"We started having sex all the time: her hotel room, in our trailers at work, once in a tiny, private room in a restaurant," he recounted. The actor shared how this relationship provided a sense of empowerment during his personal struggles with identity and societal expectations.
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