‘Zoolander 2’ News: LGBT Protests Create Hype, Movie To Be One Of 2016’s Big Hits?

"Zoolander 2" has been making news as LGBT advocates complain about the film's alleged transphobic jokes. However, the controversy seems to have generated more hype over the movie, as Namibian reported how it is predicted to be one of 2016's biggest hits.  

Opening in the United States on Feb. 12, Variety senior writer James Rainey shared why he believes "Zoolander 2" will be a favorite among movie fanatics.  

"It's totally silly," he said. "But I think it's going to be fun and good."

"[There's] Penelope Cruz, Olivia Munn and, of course, Owen Wilson, and Ben Stiller in the title role," James Rainey also pointed out.

The sequel to the 2001 hit comedy has been gathering high expectations amid accusations that it promotes transphobia. According to a report from Entertainment Weekly, members of the LGBT community are offended by the of actor Benedict Cumberbatch, who plays a gender-ambiguous model named Ali.

A petition to boycott "Zoolander 2" has been making news as it went viral late last year.

"In the Zoolander 2 trailer, an androgynous character played by Benedict Cumberbatch is asked by Zoolander and Hansel if he is a 'male or female model,' and if they 'have a hot dog or a bun,'" the petition stated.

"Additionally, Cumberbatch's character is clearly portrayed as an over-the-top, cartoonish mockery of androgyne/trans/non-binary individuals."

"This is the modern equivalent of using blackface to represent a minority," the petitioner added.

In an interview featured by People, co-writer Justin Theroux addressed "Zoolander 2" news reports and slammed the transphobic accusations.

As one of the film's creators, the husband of actress Jennifer Aniston said that he is offended by the complaints over a film that he says is an obvious satire.

"I don't even know what to make of it, because it hurts my feelings in a way," Justin Theroux said. "I take great care of the jokes I write, and the umbrage being taken is out of the context of the scene."

"I wish people would see the movie first," he continued, adding to the news about "Zoolander 2."