Actor Viggo Mortensen is defending his choice to play gay in his latest role for Falling which he also directed (a first for Mortensen). Mortensen has already spoken of the choice, but found himself revealing even more in his interview with The Times recently.
“Look, these are the times we’re living in, and I think it’s healthy that those issues are brought up,” he said, referring to straight actors playing gay parts.
“The short answer is that I didn’t think it was a problem. And people then ask me: ‘Well what about Terry Chen, who plays my husband in the film, is he a homosexual?’
“The answer is I don’t know, and I would never have the temerity to ask someone if they were, during the casting process.”
“How do you know what my life is? You’re assuming that I’m completely straight. Maybe I am, maybe I’m not. And it’s frankly none of your business.
“I want my movie to work, and I want the character of John to be effective. If I didn’t think it was a good idea I wouldn’t do it.”