Tom Hanks on Why He Wouldn’t Accept a Role as a Gay Man in Modern Times
Star Tom Hanks, who played the role of a gay man in the movie Philadelphia, feels that as a straight actor he would no longer be able to play an openly gay character in movies. He also says he doesn't think people would accept the inauthenticity of a straight guy playing a gay character.
Veteran star Tom Hanks, who essayed the role of a gay man with HIV in Jonathan Demme's 1993 legal drama Philadelphia, feels straight actor would no longer be able to play the openly gay character today. Hanks opened up on straight performers playing LGBTQ characters in an interview with The New York Times Magazine recently, Variety reported. Elvis: Baz Luhrmann’s Film to Have Its World Premiere at 2022 Cannes Film Festival with Tom Hanks in Attendance.
"Let's address 'could a straight man do what I did in Philadelphia now?' No, and rightly so. The whole point of Philadelphia was don't be afraid. One of the reasons people weren't afraid of that movie is that I was playing a gay man. We're beyond that now, and I don't think people would accept the inauthenticity of a straight guy playing a gay guy," he said.
He added, "It's not a crime, it's not boohoo, that someone would say we are going to demand more of a movie in the modern realm of authenticity." Here: Tom Hanks, Robin Wright and Robert Zemeckis Reunite to Make a New Film Described as 'Breathtaking and Revolutionary' - Reports.
Hanks won the Oscar and a Golden Globe for his performance in Philadelphia.
Hanks will be next seen in a polarising role in Baz Luhrmann's Elvis, in which he plays Elvis Presley's conniving manager Colonel Tom Parker. Elvis will be out in theatres on June 24.