“Nowadays, you shouldn’t be casting a straight man for a role like that anymore. The message of ‘Philadelphia’ was ‘Do not be afraid’. One of the reasons people weren’t afraid of that movie is because I played a gay man,” Hanks said of his status as a famous straight actor. “But we are now past that point, people would no longer accept it if no gay man was selected for this role. Because it’s not authentic,” said the film star.
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It’s not a crime and there’s no whining to expect more from a movie.
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The actor is of the same opinion about his role in ‘Forrest Gump’. In that film he played a man with a disability. He would no longer assume that role. In the interview, he defended people who stand up for LGBTI actors and actors with a disability, who stand up for more representation and authenticity. “It’s not a crime and it’s not whining,” Hanks said, “to expect more from a movie.”
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It rained reactions on social media. “While moving with the times, its part from nearly 30 years ago should not be forgotten,” writes one fan, noting how much the film has meant to people living with HIV. Another says: “Tom Hanks is really someone who keeps learning and wants to keep learning. He can also say: the most suitable actor should get a part. But instead, he is aware that authenticity and representation are extremely important. That shows how socially involved he is.”
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