Richard Madden says it’s a ‘terrible route’ to restrict casting choices based on someone’s personal life
The actor is starring alongside Taron Egerton in the upcoming Elton John biopic 'Rocketman'
By Steve Brown
Words: Steve Brown
Richard Madden says it would be a ‘terrible route’ to start restricting casting choices due to an actor’s personal life.
The actor – who shot to fame as Rob Stark in Game of Thrones and then in BBC’s hit show Bodyguard – is starring as Elton John’s first love and former manager John Reid in the upcoming Rocketman movie.
But the film faced early backlash as two heterosexual actors – Madden and Taron Egerton who is starring as Elton – were cast to play the iconic gay singer and his manager.
However, Madden has discussed the issue of casting gay actors to play gay roles and has insisted he believes in ‘the best actor for the best part’.
He told the Guardian: “It’s a really terrible route to go down if we start restricting people’s casting based on their personal lives.
“We have to focus more on diversity and having everyone represented and I’m a firm believer in the best actor for the best part.”
Egerton told Attitude’s June issue – which is available to buy or download to any device – that he hopes the LGBTQ community feel a sense of ownership with the film.
Read Taron’s full interview in Attitude’s June issue, out now.
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