James Franco, "Or, You know what, maybe, I'm just Gay"

[Divine Discontent]

James Franco has been in a long relationship with actress Ahna O'Reilly, but when asked about having finished filming his 3rd role where he plays a Gay man, Franco gave a great response -



Franco’s filmography is packed with gay characters, from Allen Ginsberg in Howl, to activist Scott Smith in Milk and poet Hart Crane in his just-wrapped feature The Broken Tower. “There are lots of other reasons to be interested in gay characters than wanting myself to go out and have sex with guys,” he says. “And there are also lots of other aspects about these characters that I’m interested in, in addition to their sexuality. So, in some ways it’s coincidental, in other ways it’s not. I mean, I’ve played a gay man who’s living in the ’60s and ’70s, a gay man who we depicted in the ‘50s, and one being in the ‘20s. And those were all periods when to be gay, at least being gay in public, was much more difficult. Part of what I’m interested in is how these people who were living anti-normative lifestyles contended with opposition. Or, you know what, maybe I’m just gay.”
<snip>

Longer article here - http://insidemovies.ew.com/2011/01/05/james-franco-gay-roles/



And, oh, after reading that last sentence, I'm gonna need some water here! Ha! He said last year that people can perceive him as Gay but that's really not the case (he always look so happy with Ahna, anyhow). I appreciate his defense for equality for all and pursuing these roles. But, still... that glass of water, thanks.


(pics are from 2008's "Milk", and 2001's "James Dean")

[WillParkinson]

1. I loves me some James Franco!

He's cool even when he's not trying to be. (And he doesn't need to try.)

[Divine Discontent]

2. Spot on, he doesn't even try, he just seems so genuine and kind. One of the good guys.

And, of course, had me crying at the end of Milk when he's trying to look out for Harvey, and maybe even get back with him.

He really has a diverse film career. Becoming quite the respected actor.

:hi:

[JackBeck]

3. I just love him.

He filmed 'The Clerk's Tale' at the Brooks Brothers store that my husband works at.

One afternoon, Jonathan had heard that some dirty, hipster student filmmakers from NYU were going to use his store to make a movie. He rolled his eyes and thought nothing more about it.

But after they arrived, the director grabbed his arm to ask him a question, and after he turned around to answer him, within 30 seconds he was acting like all the high school girls that eventually showed up once word got out: "Oh my god. I am talking to James Franco."

It was totally random, but I love that he got to hang out with him for a couple of days, considering how much we loved his work before the encounter.

[Raschel]

4. Can't remember the name of the movie, but I loved him playing the part of the burnt out dealer.

So cute!

[JackBeck]

5. Was it 'Pineapple Express'? n/t

[Raschel]

6. Pineapple express. lol

[Divine Discontent]

7. ha!! just laugh even seeing that pic. it was funny.

[qb]

8. A refreshing change from the emphatic denials we hear so often.

Acting is about portraying a different person. The sexual orientation of the actor is irrelevant.

[tavalon]

13. And by quiping in that way, he made it clear, homosexuality is not an issue for him.

I like that he likes to study non-normative situations. I live in such a situation and wouldn't mind it a bit if someone would explore it, who wasn't into just figuring out who sleeps with who (or is it whom?).

[LeftinOH]

9. The picture at bottom left (in character as James Dean) is amazingly spot-on:

[closeupready]

10. I just love him - every inch - but he doesn't set off my gaydar, sadly.

I think because he's - gasp - not gay. :cry:

[closeupready]

11. Here he is with his girlfriend

She is super-gorgeous. They make a perfect couple.

[whathehell]

12. A terrific actor..I thought he basically channeled James Dean..

His amazing resemblance to him didn't hurt, of course.