Joaquin Phoenix Under Fire For Being Cast as Gay Man in Upcoming Movie
There is a lot of discussion among fans about whether the actor can play the role.
Joaquin Phoenix is considered a master of acting. He shrugs it off, saying he's just doing his job. Nevertheless, there are legends about the thoroughness of the actor's preparation for the shoot.
It is a long, painful, physically demanding process. The actor is known for his responsible choice of roles, as he loves to challenge himself and play complex and sometimes ambiguous personalities.
Perhaps that is why Joaquin approached director Todd Haynes about a project that would focus on the love story of two gay men. The director said that the movie will be set in the 1930s:
"There's another movie I want to do in early 2024. It's a project that Joaquin Phoenix brought to me. […] A love story between two men, based on an original, very audacious scenario. This is, I believe, his first gay role. I am very excited about this project!"
However, not all viewers are thrilled with the news. Many feel that gay or minority characters in general should be portrayed by actors who belong to the community in order to promote inclusion and authenticity.
Some fans have argued that Todd Haynes' future project could be a model of representation that would be a small step towards full and fair representation of minorities on screen.
Movies and shows that deal with these issues are always under pressure from both sides, with those on the other side believing that only the actor's talent should be considered.
In addition, many believe that requiring an actor's or actress's sexuality to match that of a character will severely limit the choice of roles.
This is not the first time the film industry has debated whether an actor's sexuality is important for a leading role.
A few years ago, a debate erupted over Ruby Rose, who agreed to play Batwoman for the series of the same name. They were accused of being too cautious and too conformist a choice for LGBTQ superhero.
On the other hand, there was a gay character in the Disney live-action movie Beauty and the Beast.
And a small scene in which the characters of the tale, Lefou and Gaston, waltzed together was the first appearance of same-sex relationships in the films of the Walt Disney studio.
As a result, this scene in the tale was called an essential step forward.
Source: Les Inrockuptibles