Tom Hanks says he couldn’t play gay role today like he did in ‘Philadelphia’
nypost.comthe New York Times that both “Philadelphia” and his 1994 dramedy “Forrest Gump” were “timely movies, at the time, that you might not be able to make now.”“Let’s address, ‘Could a straight man do what I did in Philadelphia now?’ ” Hanks asked. “No, and rightly so.
The whole point of ‘Philadelphia’ was don’t 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 would accept the inauthenticity of a straight guy playing a gay guy,” he went on.“It’s not a crime, it’s not boohoo, that someone would say we are going to demand more of a movie in the modern realm of authenticity,” the “Cast Away” actor added. “Do I sound like I’m preaching?
I don’t mean to.”Hanks is promoting the upcoming Baz Luhrmann-directed film “Elvis,” alongside star Austin Butler.The father of four was in New York City Wednesday evening with his wife Rita Wilson.However, a mob of crazed fans almost knocked down Wilson, 65 — which forced Hanks to protect his ladylove.
