We would have loved to been a fly on the wall for this particular conversation between super-method Milk star, Sean Penn and director Gus Van Sant. Page Six reveals today that:
James Franco says Sean Penn pushed the gay sex scenes in “Milk” further than he expected. “In the original script I read, there was only one real kissing scene,” Franco tells next month’s Elle. “A month after [director] Gus [Van Sant] asked me to do it, they sent me another script, and on Page 5 there was a full-on love scene. And I was like, ‘Gus, what the heck?’ He says, ‘Well, it was Sean’s idea.’ “
“You gotta give em’ head, Gus! You gotta give em’ head.”
adzomelk
mmmm who else remembers when sean was as cute as james LOL well who can blame sean for trying
Gregoire
No one can say Sean hasn’t thrown himself into this role, that’s for sure.
Darth Paul
Good for them! God knows how many gay dudes had to convincingly fake it w/women on screen.
blake
Huh? The “love” scenes were barely PG-13. How about the in hte dark love scenes with Diego Luna’s “quirky” Jack and Penn’s Milk.
There were no hot and heavy sex scenes in the film akin to more sexually charged films that are R-rated. This was more political biopic. So, I don’t see why Franco continues to push this film as being daring in terms of sex.
The Gay Numbers
@blake: I think his point is that they want to include a sex life, not just kisses, rather than his saying that its risque as in R rated. Its not pushing anything more than what it is. Actors being cool with playing the roles they were given. Clearly Franco has no problem with gay since he’s both supported the No on 8 protests and is set to play back to back gay since he’s taken on the role of the poet Ginsburg in Howl.
casey
i would help Sean rehearse any time he desires. we’re about the same age, and i think he’s hot as hell. i don’t even care if he has a gay role coming up or just wants to practice for the hell of it, lol. our ‘safe’ word could be ‘Madonna.’ : )
GranDiva
@The Gay Numbers:
Ew.
Nobody can say that Harvey didn’t like his sex. And Ginsburg? Oh, geez. Franco is really in for it now.
The Gay Numbers
@GranDiva: Yeah, I am starting to like him as an actor because he’s willing to play interesting people. Its a guy fairly young in his career, but he has had enough sucess where he does not have to do anything. He could really play it safe. So, I guess no one has to use the safeword yet?
scott
whatever. Ewan McGregor. In the Pillow Book and Velvet Goldmine. There’s an actor who’s not afraid to do gay sex scenes.
blake
@The Gay Numbers:
I think you misunderstand my point. It’s a political biopic; therefore, big sex scenes should not be that central.
I’m just a little tired of straight guys playing gay being treated as heroic. It’s nice and all that he plays gay and is gay friendly. But, let’s be real about this. Playing gay won’t hurt his career. He’s been in 3 Spider-man movies; so, you know he’s got a fat bank account. Also, Tom Hanks led the way almost 20 years ago. Look at all of the straight actors who have played gay since then.
The real heroes are the gay actors who play gay and do have to worry about discrimination. Look at the gay cast members of “Queer as Folk.” Where are they now?
The Gay Numbers
@blake: @<a
a) I think you are projecting views onto the actor that are not his position. Think about it this way, were his interest what you described, he could have just done Milk and not wanted to do Howl. Having listened to him a couple of times, I think it was the project, not the gay part that interested him. I could be wrong. I don’t know him or anything , but that’s the impression he gives off. I know he’s pursuing a writing degree, which given his status in the industry he doesn’t have to do. So my sense is that it’s about the creative challenge , but again I could be wrong. You can never tell who these people are. Not really.
b) I think its a mistake to think its easy to play a gay character. It’s easier now, but not easy. Hollywood is very conservative. Don’t let their causes fool you into how they view the bottom line. Managers and agents will try to stir actors from these roles. Especially back to back. Agents will sell their mama down the river for the next high paying gig so they have incentives for higher paying roles. Managers are worried about long term careers so they have incentives for avoiding too many roles of one type. Unless the goal is to do one type.
c) You point out a separate issue regarding gay actors. There is still a huge problem with Hollywood regarding that. But, I think maybe that’s changing. One of the concerns there with Hollywood being so conservative is that one is not pigeonholed for the gay roles only. As actors, people want to play different roles. So, again it can be hard being gay. That’s why I am hopeful with actors like Neil Patrick Harris and TR Knight. It suggests there maybe a breakthrough happening slowly. We are just waiting for that one big actor to appear on the scene who is openly gay. Now, will they let him play straight and gay in different roles? I don’t know. I’d certainly hope so. that would be the true breakthrough. It’s like when Will Smirth plays roles you know were written for white guys, and when he plays roles you know were written for black guys. It just allows for more black actors to do the same one day.
SteveDenver
@blake: Any sex scene that turns-on christian prudes is going to get increased scrutiny and outcry. They’ve mistaken libido for bubbling outrage.
Brian
@blake: “Look at the gay cast members of “Queer as Folk.” Where are they now?”
Having pretty substantial success on the stage.
Though point taken.
David
Sean knows a good hot stud when he sees one. Hell, if I were straight I’d want to do a sex scene with Franco also. There are just some guys that can bring the bi out in just about anyone, I think Franco has it. Now if Penn were years younger, Franco probably would not have done the “what gives” hock. I’d bet my top, and my bottom dollar on that.
JustMe
You people are studid as shit. Who cares if the actor is gay or straight as long as they can pull off the role. And I really do think that some are projecting here. I think that Franco is straight but what does it matter? Just because he supported Prop 8 or even marches in gay pride does not make him anything as it doesn’t any other actors who have done the same. Do you people believe that Brad Pitt is gay too?
Leave the actors/entertainers/singers alone and stop trying to dabble in their personal lives. Why can’t we just stick to their abilities as performers on stage, screen, etc.
PTS3
@The Gay Numbers
Thanks for such an informed and objective response.
Benni
@blake: Keir Gilchrist was in QAF, and he is now doing a TV show where he plays a gay kid. The United States of Tara (the show) treats is respectfully and has made it a plot point so far.