, a queer, modern adaptation of, was first announced, it marked the first time a major film was being written and directed by as well as starring openly gay Asian people.

In this case, that’s director Andrew Ahn, writer and star Joel Kim Booster and Bowen Yang. Later, the Hulu movie made news again when it revealed that it had filled out all the supporting roles with LGBTQ actors, including Margaret Cho, Matt Rogers and Conrad Ricamora. “Joel and I felt very committed to casting queer actors for this,” Ahn tells ET. “We know that the depth of talent exists within this community, and I think it’s really unfortunate that much of Hollywood still has this idea that you can’t do this.

Like, that there are straight actors who might play these roles better. I think that it’s underestimating the value of lived experience that an actor can bring to a role.”“This film has so much to do with queer joy and I really wanted to work with queer people,” he of the film, which is very much about chosen families and queer friendships as much as it is about finding love. “So, we were really committed to it and it was so easy to do.

Like, it wasn’t a struggle to find these people.” He adds, “The amount of talent in this community is really tremendous.” For the director, who previously helmed the acclaimed Sundance film, being on a project led by queer Asian people made him “feel at home,” he says. “So, when I came onboard, it was fun for me to figure out who else could be Asian American in here.

'Fire Island' Director on the Film's All-LGBTQ Cast: 'We Know That the Depth of Talent Exists' (Exclusive)

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