ViewGallery
As Matt Bomer’s legions of fans — 89,391 had signed a petition asking for him to star in “Fifty Shades of Grey” — are protesting the news that Irish actor Jamie Dornan will play Christian Grey, it brings up some interesting questions about gay politics in Hollywood.
Focus Features never suggested that it was auditioning Bomer, the star of USA’s “White Collar,” who quietly came out in 2012, or confirmed that the studio was pursuing him for the role. When asked about the petition, Bomer said, “I’m so grateful for the fans and touched.”
Bomer might not have been cast for “Fifty Shades of Grey” for a variety of reasons. Maybe he didn’t even like the part. But the idea that many fans wanted to see him play Christian Grey, a steamy hyper-sexual role, represents progress.
Related Stories
VIP+What Film Fund From AI Startup Runway Means for Content’s Future
Why Critically Panned 'Joker 2' Could Still Be in the Awards Race for Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix
It wasn’t so long ago that being out as an actor was considered a showbiz death sentence. Even after Ellen DeGeneres broke barriers as the first openly gay sitcom star in 1997, she spent several years drifting through the industry until her talk show re-launched her as the new Oprah (or Rosie). She hasn’t played a romantic lead since then.
Popular on Variety
The struggle for non-closeted gay actors has always been not to be defined by their sexual orientation, and there are more than enough of them now — Neil Patrick Harris, Jane Lynch, Chris Colfer, Cynthia Nixon, T.R. Knight, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Zachary Quinto, Sean Hayes and Bomer.
But all those actors primarily work in television. The fact remains that in the year 2013, there is still not a consistent leading gay man or woman on the big screen. Hollywood is still trying to catch up to the BuzzFeed generation, which doesn’t discriminate when it comes to a heartthrob’s sexual orientation. Hopefully, one day soon, a gay actor will crack that glass ceiling.
SEE ALSO: 25 Possible Christian Greys: A Timeline of Actors Connected to ‘Fifty Shades’
SEE ALSO: Jamie Dornan: From Model to ‘Once Upon a Time’ to ‘Fifty Shades’
Read More About:
Jump to CommentsMore from Variety
Most Popular
Inside the 'Joker: Folie à Deux' Debacle: Todd Phillips ‘Wanted Nothing to Do’ With DC on the $200 Million Misfire
‘Kaos’ Canceled After One Season at Netflix
‘Menendez Brothers’ Netflix Doc Reveals Erik’s Drawings of His Abuse and Lyle Saying ‘I Would Much Rather Lose the Murder Trial Than Talk About Our…
Saoirse Ronan Says Losing Luna Lovegood Role in ‘Harry Potter’ Has ‘Stayed With Me Over the Years’: ‘I Was Too Young’ and ‘Knew I Wasn't Going to Get…
Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried to Star in ‘The Housemaid’ Adaptation From Director Paul Feig, Lionsgate
‘Joker 2’ Axed Scene of Lady Gaga’s Lee Kissing a Woman at the Courthouse Because ‘It Had Dialogue in It’ and ‘Got in the Way’ of a Music…
Christopher Nolan’s Next Movie: Matt Damon in Talks to Star in Universal Film Set for Summer 2026
Kathy Bates Won an Oscar and Her Mom Told Her: ‘You Didn't Discover the Cure for Cancer,’ So ‘I Don't Know What All the Excitement Is About…
Kamala Harris Cracks Open a Miller High Life With Stephen Colbert on ‘The Late Show’
‘Skyfall’ Director Sam Mendes Says James Bond Studio Prefers Filmmakers ‘Who Are More Controllable’: ‘I Would Doubt’ I’d…
Must Read
- Film
COVER | Sebastian Stan Tells All: Becoming Donald Trump and Starring in 2024’s Most Controversial Movie
By Andrew Wallenstein 3 weeks
- TV
Menendez Family Slams Netflix’s ‘Monsters’ as ‘Grotesque’ and ‘Riddled With Mistruths’: ‘The Character Assassination of Erik and Lyke Is Repulsive…
- TV
‘Yellowstone’ Season 5 Part 2 to Air on CBS After Paramount Network Debut
- TV
50 Cent Sets Diddy Abuse Allegations Docuseries at Netflix: ‘It’s a Complex Narrative Spanning Decades’ (EXCLUSIVE)
- Shopping
‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ Sets Digital and Blu-ray/DVD Release Dates
Sign Up for Variety Newsletters
By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy.We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services. // This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.Variety Confidential
ncG1vNJzZmiukae2psDYZ5qopV9nfXJ%2Fjp%2BgpaVfo7K4v46foJ%2BsqWLAqa3DnqpmnpGjwG7DxKucZqCfqXqnu9FmpJqspGKvsLnEq2SbraRixKnFjLCYrKakYrWmecKaqq1lYWd9cYOUcmdsaF8%3D