Kristen Stewart Will Star in Bodybuilding Romance “Love Lies Bleeding” — Who Should Play Her Swole Love Interest?

Feature image of Cynthia Erivo via Cynthia’s Instagram / of Stephanie Beatriz by Stefanie Keenan via Getty Images for Land Rover / of Javicia Leslie via Javicia’s Instagram

Kristen Stewart is set to co-star in Love Lies Bleeding, a bodybuilding romantic thriller (!!!) from Saint Maud director Rose Glass, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Specifically KStew will play “the protective lover of a female bodybuilder” in the movie, which is being described as the production companies as “a romance fueled by ego, desire and the American dream.” Yes, we’re getting a Kristen Stewart gay bodybuilder movie…

Sounds hot!!!!!!!!! Honestly, they had me at “romantic thriller.” Hollywood needs to bring back the erotic/romantic thriller imo. And they should all, like this one, be queer.

The bodybuilder Kristen Stewart’s character will be protective of (🥺) has not been cast yet, with THR reporting: “The filmmakers are hoping to cast the lead as authentically as possible, with the search currently underway.” Hopefully by authentic casting, they mean someone who is authentically swole and authentically queer.

And so, some of the Autostraddle TV Team spent the first part of our work day brainstorming potential Bicep Bisexuals, Tough Gays, and Fit Queers who could play opposite Kristen Stewart in this bodybuilding romance.


Cynthia Erivo

(In case you missed it, Cynthia Erivo quietly came out in this interview.)


Young M.A

Young M.A holds a microphone and wears a white t-shirt while smiling

Photo by Joseph Okpako/Redferns via Getty Images

For the purposes of this article, we are counting Young M.A as an actor due to her contributions on one television show (Mr. Robot) and one film (The Forty-Year-Old Version).


Janelle Monáe

Janelle Monáe in her music video "Yoga" sits in front of a mirror in a black crop top and jeans while flexing her back/shoulder muscles.

“Let me see you do that yoga,” you know?


Jonica T. Gibbs

Jonica T. Gibbs boxes in the movie Fresh

I am basing this suggestion on the one scene of Jojo boxing in the movie Fresh, which was tbh a standout scene. Would love to see more.


Chef Melissa King

Right, right so she’s technically a professional chef and not an actor, but Heather pointed out she was on Sesame Street sooooooooo. Anyway, don’t ask questions, just watch the video above. 👀


Javicia Leslie

As Carmen correctly indicated, working out with knifeplay = just lil bisexual activities.


Cameron Esposito

Wolverine remake WHEN!


Stephanie Beatriz

Stephanie Beatriz holds an axe while wearing a Grateful Dead shirt, flannel, and jeans

Photo by Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for Land Rover

Bisexual axe-throwing!!!!!!!!!


Ruby Rose


Ashley Vox

Okay, I couldn’t make this list without including a few pro wrestlers. I am a firm believer that all pro wrestlers can also be actors.


Charlie Morgan

Charlie’s fiancé Jetta is also a pro wrestler, and that’s what I call romance, baby!


Which other strong queers do you think should be thrown into the ring of the Kristen Stewart gay bodybuilder movie?

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Kayla Kumari Upadhyaya

Kayla Kumari Upadhyaya is the managing editor of Autostraddle and a lesbian writer of essays, short stories, and pop culture criticism living in Orlando. She is the assistant managing editor of TriQuarterly, and her short stories appear or are forthcoming in McSweeney's Quarterly Concern, Joyland, Catapult, The Offing, and more. Some of her pop culture writing can be found at The A.V. Club, Vulture, The Cut, and others. You can follow her on Twitter or Instagram and learn more about her work on her website.

Kayla has written 934 articles for us.

14 Comments

  1. Kayla, as usual this article is a winner and very entertaining…..not sure how you come up with the ideas for your columns….but keep them coming!

    I am generally not attracted to the muscly type of body but I found the bisexual axe thrower particularly attractive….I like a girl handy with her tools and weapons!!

  2. History would suggest otherwise on the “Pro Wrestlers can act” front but you never know. Also in that front I would suggest Big Swole, who to my knowledge isn’t in anyway queer but definitely looks the part.

  3. gonna need to understand some peoples idea of body building- going to the gym is one thing but body building (imho) is about strength, and growth. Most of these women while beautiful don’t look like they are “building” or would be considered actual bodybuilders, lets throw in some powerful women like Brooke Holladay or Stefi Cohen

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