Tig Notaro and Zack Snyder Team Up for "Hot Lesbian Action" Film Project

Tig Notaro's appearance in Zack Snyder's 2021 Netflix film "Army of the Dead"b ecame an unexpected cultural moment that would ultimately lead to a new creative partnership. Notaro was brought into the project as a replacement for actor Chris D'Elia following sexual misconduct allegations against him. Rather than reshooting scenes with a different actor, Snyder made the innovative decision to erase D'Elia from the film entirely and recreate Notaro's scenes using CGI and green screen technology.

Notaro's performance as helicopter pilot Marianne Peters resonated with audiences in ways neither the actor nor the director anticipated. The character's appearance generated viral attention and positive reception from viewers across multiple demographics. According to Notaro's own account, the response was remarkably inclusive. "I go viral for being sexy in this film," Notaro explained during an appearance on the podcast "On With Kara Swisher." "And it was so unexpected. My phone's exploding. I'm not walking around going 'Oh my God, 'you know, 'check me out. 'I was so confused."

What made this viral moment particularly significant was the breadth of its appeal. Notaro received positive feedback from what she described as "straight men, gay men, gay women, and straight women" who found her character attractive and compelling. This cross-demographic enthusiasm planted the seed for what would become the new project.

Recognizing the unique opportunity presented by her viral moment, Notaro took the initiative to contact Snyder directly. During their conversation, she pitched an audacious concept that would capitalize on the positive reception her character had generated. "I called Zack, and I said, 'What if we just went for it and everyone's a hot lesbian?'" Notaro recounted. The director's response was immediate and enthusiastic: "He was like, 'Oh my God, yes, let's make that movie.'"

The project, currently in development with the working title "Deviants," represents a deliberate creative choice to center lesbian characters and perspectives in an action film. Notaro described how she pitched the concept to Snyder during a video call, even envisioning how the film's marketing would present the concept. "Picture this poster: We have the name of the film, and then it says 'Hot Lesbian Action.' That's how I sold him on the Zoom," Notaro explained.

As of the latest reports, the project remains in active development. "So who knows? It's a Hollywood project. We're in the process of putting the script together," Notaro noted, acknowledging the uncertainties that accompany early-stage film development in the entertainment industry.

The announcement of this project arrives at an interesting juncture in Zack Snyder's career regarding LGBTQ+ representation and themes in his work. Snyder's filmography presents a complex and sometimes contradictory relationship with queer content and representation.

On one hand, film critics and LGBTQ+ media analysts have identified consistent homoerotic and queer-coded elements throughout much of Snyder's work. According to analysis from The Companion, "From the homoerotic 300 to the queer coding of the Justice League, Zack Snyder hardwires his movies with LGBTQI+ subtext." The article notes that "Homoeroticism, and themes consistent with the LGBTQI+ community, appear in a lot of his work from very on in his career, which began at a time when studios were even more resistant to LGBTQI+ representation than they are now."

His 2007 film "300," based on Frank Miller's graphic novel, exemplifies this complexity. The film contains notably homoerotic elements, particularly in the deep emotional bonds depicted between Spartan warriors. In one scene, the character Leonidas consoles his friend Captain Artemis, with the dialogue reflecting emotional intimacy unusual for action cinema of that era. The film's historical setting allowed Snyder to explore themes of same-sex relationships, as the ancient Spartans historically practiced homosexuality.

However, Snyder's track record with explicit LGBTQ+ representation and character portrayal has drawn criticism from LGBTQ+ media outlets. Out Magazine highlighted problematic elements in several of his films, noting that in "300," the villainous Persians are depicted wearing makeup and jewelry, with their leader Xerxes portrayed as the most effeminate character in the film. The film also contains a scene where Spartan heroes insult Athenians by calling them "boy lovers."

In "Watchmen," another Snyder adaptation, a lesbian superhero and her girlfriend are brutally murdered during the opening credits, and a scene features The Comedian threatening to out the gay superhero Hooded Justice. In "Dawn of the Dead," a gay male character is identified primarily through stereotypical visual coding—trying on high heels—and other characters express discomfort hearing about his coming-out story.

More recently, Snyder's 2023 Netflix film "Rebel Moon" drew criticism for including what Out Magazine characterized as a "predatory gay" trope, where a queer alien character sexually assaults one of the film's heroes. This perpetuates what media critics identify as "the Predatory Gay trope," which has appeared throughout cinema history and reinforces harmful stereotypes about queer people.

The "Deviants" project with Tig Notaro may represent a different approach for Snyder. Rather than exploring queer themes through subtext or adaptation of existing material, this project centers lesbian characters as the primary focus of an action film. The deliberate framing of the film around lesbian characters and the enthusiastic collaboration with Notaro suggests an intentional creative direction.

It's worth noting that Snyder has previously expressed interest in exploring queer narratives more directly. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Snyder wrote what he described as "essentially going to be the final chapter in '300'" focused on the relationship between Alexander the Great and Hephaestion, his companion. In 2021, Snyder stated: "I was writing this thing about Alexander the Great, and it just turned into a movie about the relationship between Hephaestion and Alexander." This indicates that Snyder sees queer romance as integral to his storytelling vision, at least in his more recent creative thinking.

Tig Notaro has established herself as a significant presence in LGBTQ+ comedy and entertainment. Her willingness to pitch and develop this project demonstrates the growing influence of LGBTQ+ creators in shaping mainstream entertainment. The collaboration also reflects broader industry trends toward more intentional representation and centering of diverse voices in creative projects.

The "Deviants" project stands as a concrete example of how viral cultural moments can be transformed into substantive creative opportunities. Notaro's ability to recognize the significance of her viral moment and translate it into a pitch demonstrates creative agency and entrepreneurial thinking within the entertainment industry.

As the script for "Deviants" continues to develop, the project will be closely watched by both LGBTQ+ media observers and action film enthusiasts. The film has the potential to contribute meaningfully to LGBTQ+ representation in mainstream cinema, particularly in the action genre, which has historically centered male protagonists and heterosexual narratives.

The collaboration between Notaro and Snyder represents an opportunity for the director to move beyond subtext and coded representation toward explicit, intentional storytelling centered on lesbian characters. Whether the final film will fulfill this potential remains to be seen, but the project's development signals a notable shift in Snyder's approach to LGBTQ+ content in his work.