Will Ferrell had ‘zero knowledge’ of the trans experience until a friend came out
“Saturday Night Live” legend Will Ferrell revealed Sunday that he had “zero knowledge” of the trans experience until his close friend of 30 years Harper Steele came out to him in 2022.
“I know I’ve met trans people before,” Ferrell, 56, told Variety in a clip posted to the outlet’s social media. “I didn’t have anyone personally in my life.
“So this was all new territory for me, which is why I think this piece is so exciting for us to kind of put out there in the world,” Ferrell said, referring to his and Steele’s new documentary, “Will & Harper.”
The film, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, follows the duo’s friendship after the pair met while working for “SNL” back in the 1990s.
According to Ferrell, who helped produce the film, his longtime friend came out to him and a bunch of other friends via email.
“All of us were extremely supportive and expressed love … but that sort of opened the questions like, ‘How can we help you? What do you need us to do?’” he said.
“When Will Ferrell finds out his close friend of 30 years is coming out as a trans woman, the two decide to embark on a cross-country road trip to process this new stage of their relationship in an intimate portrait of friendship, transition, and America,” reads the film’s official description.
According to the “Step Brothers” alum, his film is “a chance for all of us in the cis community to be able to ask questions and also just to listen and be there as a friend to discuss this journey.”
“It tells the story of a cis friend of a trans person who has to transition himself,” Steele, 62, added.
The clip generated mixed reviews from fans.
“A story about a friendship decades-long who respect and love each other through it all,” one social media user praised.
“Will is lovely,” posted a second person.
“Will tackling this topic is what we all need. So excited for this,” a third user added.
“Fantastic. I knew nothing until my son transitioned. Way to use his platform to help others—mad respect,” a fourth user gushed.
Other commenters were not so thrilled to see the “Talladega Nights” actor giving remarks regarding the controversial topic.
“Welp, there goes Will,” slammed one commenter.
“A cis man. nope. Thank u for the previous laughs Will,” another angry internet troll stated. “I can see that that’s over now … can’t be woke and funny at the same time and Will seems to have chosen woke.”
“What is up with this obsession,” a third person chastised.
“Will & Harper” is seeking distribution outside of the Sundance Film Festival.
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