The Butler’s Lee Daniels is a gay, African-American filmmaker, however his films so far, such as Precious and The Paperboy, haven’t really explored his gay side that deeply (although all have definitely been informed by his queer point of view and experiences growing up).
Now Daniels says he wants to bring the two things together with a gay, interracial action film, which he wants Alex Pettyfer to star in. The director told Out, “Alex Pettyfer is in it, [but] I have to find the right black guy opposite him. He’s so hot, isn’t he? So hot. And so aware of his hotness in a way that’s so…I love him to death.”
However he does rather spoil the film’s big twist by saying the movie is like, “Mr. and Mrs. Smith but the two good-looking guys as the action heroes. We don’t find out they’re gay until the end of the movie.”
It’ll be tough to get it made, as all the studios turned down Behind The Candelabra, despite the fact it only cost a few million and had Matt Damon and Michael Douglas set to star. Whether they’ll want to pay a lot more for a gay-themed action flick is tough to guess.
Daniels seems to think he can make it happen though, saying, “I don’t think I’m going to have a problem now. I made a $100 million for The Butler. I’m in a rare group. So this is something I feel good about.”
The director has other reasons to feel happy at the moment, as it’s been announced that Daniels will receive Outfest’s Visionary Award in recognition of his contribution to LGBT arts and media visibility.
“I am extremely flattered and humbled to be receiving this year’s Visionary Award,” said Lee. “Outfest is an extraordinary organization, and I cannot stress enough the importance of its mission. In both my professional and personal life, I constantly strive to represent and provide a voice for the LGBT community, and am so honored that the Legacy Awards have selected me as this year’s recipient.”
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