The Boyfriend Of ParaNorman’s Queer Character Mitch Was Finally Revealed Over A Decade Later, And Now I Officially Need A Sequel

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As we celebrate Pride Month, it’s heartening to see an outpouring of rainbow-themed posts across social media from celebrities and beyond. But let’s remember the true essence of this month: lifting up the voices and stories of the LGBTQ+ community. In a unique way, Laika Studios has joined this endeavor by finally unveiling the boyfriend of Mitch’s boyfriend, who was hinted at in 2012’s “ParaNorman”. This touching revelation has left me yearning for more – a sequel that delves deeper into the love story of this gay couple.

Laika Reveals Mitch’s Boyfriend From ParaNorman

More than ten years past, an animation studio primarily known for stop-motion decided on something unconventional. The movie characters, Mitch (voiced by Casey Affleck) who was adored by Courtney (Anna Kendrick), revealed at the film’s end that he had a boyfriend, yet audiences didn’t meet him until now! Take a look at the YouTube video below:

In an interview, Chris Butler, the writer/director of the film “ParaNorman”, revealed that while creating the story, he envisioned it as a more unconventional version of “Scooby-Doo”. Therefore, characters like Mitch and Courtney were essentially his modern interpretation of Fred and Daphne. To add depth to these characters, Butler decided to make Mitch gay. Another motivation for this creative choice was to emphasize the movie’s main message: “not judging a book by its cover.

In the video, Butler brought on board Principal Character Designer Thibault Leclercq and Laika Development Art Director Iuri Lioi to conceptualize Mitch’s partner. To Butler’s delight, they did a fantastic job! As he expressed: “Coutney is going to be quite frustrated by this!

So… Can We Get A ParaNorman Sequel?

Over the years, Laika has produced numerous excellent films, ranging from “Coraline” to “Kubo and the Two Strings.” However, what makes “ParaNorman” stand out is that not only does it offer another delightful horror movie suitable for kids, but it also incorporates LGBTQ+ representation. In contrast, studios such as Disney have been slow to include queer characters in their films, with decreasing representation on TV according to recent analysis. Therefore, it’s refreshing to see Laika acknowledging the LGBTQ+ community through Mitch’s boyfriend in “ParaNorman,” and I eagerly anticipate a sequel featuring these two characters.

1) In the initial film, we follow Norman, a young 11-year-old boy, who discovers he can communicate with spirits. I believe this concept opens up many opportunities for future installments. Personally, I’m intrigued by exploring how Mitch and his partner react after Courtney becomes aware of their romantic relationship. Furthermore, the universe crafted by Chris Butler seems ripe for another chilling tale set in Blithe Hollow, Massachusetts, focusing on the town’s eerie supernatural elements.

It would be delightful to see another film featuring characters like Mitch and his boyfriend from the movie “ParaNorman,” as a welcome addition to the growing list of LGBTQ+ movies. At least, I am glad that Laika Studios chose this time for such a reveal during Pride Month. Their upcoming film titled “Wildwood” is scheduled for release in 2026.

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2025-06-08 16:37