Rupert Everett says it’s ‘not right’ that only gay actors play gay roles

Words: Jamie Tabberer; picture: Attitude

Rupert Everett has weighed in on the ‘gayface’ debate in his latest interview.

Debate has raged in recent years over straight actors playing gay roles – with James Corden’s recent Golden Globe-nominated performance in The Prom attracting fierce criticism for his take on camp.

However, speaking in an interview with The Times, The Happy Prince star Rupert said it’s “not right” that only gay actors play gay roles.

“I wouldn’t have missed the movie Behind the Candelabra for anything”

“I don’t think that’s right at all,” the Adult Material actor explained. “My feeling has always been that I wouldn’t have missed the movie Behind the Candelabra [in which the straight actors Matt Damon and Michael Douglas play gay roles] for anything.

“As a gay man I was touched by both of their performances. Because acting is acting, and it’s great for gay people to play straight roles too.”

Elsewhere in the interview, the 61-year-old commented on the backlash to Scarlett Johansson’s (brief) casting as a trans character in the film Rug & Tug. She backed out shortly after the news went public due to backlash.

“I think it was a mistake for that film not to be made because it would have presented a positive image of the trans world,” said Everett.

“It’s a business, and there isn’t yet a trans star who’s going to finance a $60 million movie. That was a mistake. But that’s just me. I’m just one member of the LGBTQ community, but I’m allowed to think that.”

Everett’s other films include My Best Friend’s Wedding, The Next Best Thing and Shrek 2.

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