Next for gay kiss?

From Gay.com:

Johnny Depp next for gay kiss?
by Ben Townley, Gay.com U.K.

Johnny Depp could be the latest to join a string of straight actors playing gay roles, according to gossip.

And the heartthrob actor, star of "Edward Scissorhands" and "Pirates of the Caribbean," is apparently gearing up for yet another man-on-man kiss in the film, provisionally titled "The Libertine."

According to MSNBC.com, the film follows the life of bisexual poet John Wilmot and will see Depp get to grips with an as-yet-unknown actor.

"His name is Rupert Friend, and he's a fairly unknown actor, but very handsome," a source on the film told the Web site's gossip columnist Jeannette Walls, adding that he was a "lucky guy."

Although the story has yet to be confirmed, if true it will see Depp become the latest in a line of heartthrob actors playing gay on the silver screen.

Despite traditionally steering clear of gay roles, a host of up-and-coming -- as well as long-established -- actors are planning on coming out of the closet for Hollywood, even if only for their latest flick.

Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger have received the most hype, for their tale of cowboy love in "Brokeback Mountain." But Liam Neeson, Kevin Kline and British actor Jimi Mistry are also due to be seen in gay roles.

But the rise of gay films has not changed attitudes in the film world completely.

Irish actor Colin Farrell admitted earlier this week that his agent "could kill me" if he took on another sexually ambiguous role after his turns in "A Home at the End of the World" and "Alexander."

[SherinaSue]

It wuldn't surprise me, although I never nbelive anything til the film is actually made. Johnny's adventurous in choosing his roles, so I really wouldn't be shocked if he does this.

I read that, told my friend and her face was a picture, she didn't know whether to be happy of grossed out!

That's interesting! Johnny always does new things, that's why he's such a great actor!

i agree with all of you. i definately think Johnny could pull it of though...he's too talented not to be able to!

He could pull it off, yes, but I still think it would be weird for him, seeing as he has 2 kids and an almost wife.

[mata]

Originally Posted by PirateAngel

He could pull it off, yes, but I still think it would be weird for him, seeing as he has 2 kids and an almost wife.

but it's just a job... shouldn't be weirder then than playing a murderer or something...

[SherinaSue]

Which leads me to the question, how would we feel if Orlando took a gay role? (Is this too hot a topic for this board?)

[mata]

I might be wrong (cause I never paid attention to that movie), but wasn't there something in this direction in Wilde?

[SherinaSue]

well, just a very small part, I had forgotten he was male prostitute in that! But he didn't really interact with anyone, he just yelled across the street.

[mata]

ah, I see... well, I don't know how I would feel if Orlando would play such a role - I guess we would be jealous of some man for a change (not the usual women)

That's very true!
You know, I don't think it's that big if an actor/actress is gay in a movie, it's the same as if they are actually gay, they're still the same person, and it's not as if we know said actor personally, so it can't really affect us.

Back to the Johnny thing, my friend said he's played a gay character before in Before Night Falls, or was she on about the fact he cross-dresses in it?

Johnny did cross dress in Ed Wood I think. And acting is his job, so if part of the role is a gay kiss, then I guess he'd do it! He's probably up for anything!

[Blue Magic]

Personally, I am hoping a day will come where no one sees two men or two women loving each other as a big deal on screen or off. The fact that straight actors are now able/willing to play these parts shows that progress is being made but we still have a long way to go. I bet Orly's handlers would be none too keen about the prospect at this point in his career. Johnny is well-established and off beat enough to do whatever he wants at this point.

I agree with all Magic said and that one day it will not be seen as so sensational to depict two women or men loving each other on screen. I would love to see Johnny do a role such as this, as I think he would bring something very special to it and as Magic says, he can carry it off with great aplomb.

I also agree with her comment about Orlando. I have no problem with peoples sexuality be they gay or bi sexual or straight, either in real life or on screen, but for Orlando to take such a role at present would perhaps cause controversy about his sexuality in real life and not be a good thing for his carreer.