“And rightly so,” says the actor.
Tom Hanks believes that he, or any other heterosexual actor, could not play the LGTBI character that starred in ‘Philadelphia’. And not only couldn’t, but shouldn’t.
Jonathan Demme’s 1993 film about a gay man with HIV who is discriminated against in his workplace earned Tom Hanks his first Best Actor Oscar and an outpouring of critical acclaim and praise for his work. But Hanks thinks that times have changed.
Could a straight guy do what I did on ‘Philadelphia’ now? No, and rightly so.
Tom Hanks stated in a recent interview with the New York Times Magazine that he believes that the mentality in Hollywood and in society is different, and he thinks that It would not be appropriate in modern times for a straight actor to play a gay character. in a story of acceptance and overcoming as was the legal drama. A debate that has already been opened on other occasions by interpreters of the LGTB community such as Jim Parsons. and that many times it happens the other way around with gay actors who usually play heterosexual characters.
“The goal of ‘Philadelphia’ was for you not to 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 will accept the inauthenticity of a straight man playing a gay man.”.
“It’s not a crime, it’s not a ‘boohoo’ let’s boo, for someone to say we’re going to demand more from a movie in the modern realm of authenticityHank added. “Do I sound like I’m preaching? It is not my intention.”
The actor is promoting one of the upcoming Tom Hanks movies, Baz Luhrman-directed ‘Elvis’ biopic opening June 24. The histrionic role that he represents, the intriguing manager of the king of rock Tom Parker, “the colonel”, has polarized a critic confused by the exaggerated accent used by the actor in his characterization. But he is a straight character, yes.
Source: Fotogramas

Camila Luna is a writer at Gossipify, where she covers the latest movies and television series. With a passion for all things entertainment, Camila brings her unique perspective to her writing and offers readers an inside look at the industry. Camila is a graduate from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with a degree in English and is also a avid movie watcher.