Viggo Mortensen Shares Thoughts Following "Gay Role" Backlash

The Oscar-nominated actor stars in the upcoming drama ‘Falling' as John Peterson, a middle-aged gay man who invites his conservative father (Lance Henriksen) to live with him and his partner (Terry Chen) after he exhibits symptoms of dementia.

As ‘Gay Times’ reports, due to his 11-year relationship with Spanish actress Ariadna Gil, Viggo – who makes his directorial debut with the film – has received criticism for playing an LGBT+ character.

In a recent interview, the star called the long-running debate over heterosexual actors playing LGBT+ roles a “healthy” one to have, but said he “didn’t think it was a problem” during the casting process.

“People then ask me, “Well what about Terry Chen, who plays my husband in the film, is he a homosexual?” And the answer is I don’t know,” he explained.

“I would never have the temerity to ask someone if they were. And how do you know what my life is? You’re assuming that I’m completely straight.”

Viggo went on to say: “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.

“So if I didn’t think it was a good idea I wouldn’t do it.”

The debate over heterosexual actors playing LGBT+ characters has been going on for years, but it arguably reached a new peak when Scarlett Johansson was announced to play a trans man in the biopic, Rub & Tug.

Read related myGwork articles here:

Colin Firth Remains Undecided On "Straight Actors, Gay Characters"

‘Prison Break’ Star Quits Show Because He’s Done “Playing Straight Characters”

Richard E. Grants Wants LGBT+ Roles To Be Given To LGBT+ Actors

Equity Urges Casting Directors To Cast More Trans Actors In Non-Trans Roles

Keep up to date with the latest myGnews

LGBT professionals, LGBT Graduates, LGBT professional network, LGBT professional events, LGBT networking events, LGBT Recruitment, LGBT Friendly organisations, LGBT Friendly companies, LGBT jobs