You know that old expression: Another week, another queer-themed film starring James Franco. It’s sort of true, but don’t think we’re complaining. We love the attention almost as much as he does. The tireless multi-hyphenate entertainer’s resume already includes films centered on such iconic LGBT figures as actors James Dean and Sal Mineo, activist Harvey Milk, poet Hart Crane and his upcoming drama about controversial ex-gay Michael Glatze, and let’s not forget the multitude of homoerotic, nude adventures with his pal Seth Rogen and Interior. Leather Bar, his meta take on the classic thriller Cruising. And here he is again on familiar turf, but the pedigree on his latest is uncommon. Wild Horses is written and directed by Academy Award-winner Robert Duvall, who costars as the estranged father of Franco’s character. Josh Hartnett and Oscar nominee Adriana Barraza and True Blood‘s Jim Parrack round out the cast.
The film’s official synopsis read:
Texas Ranger Samantha Payne (Luciana Duvall) reopens a 15-year-old Missing Persons case, uncovering clues linking a local boy’s death to wealthy family man, Scott Briggs (Robert Duvall). Samantha will stop at nothing to discover the truth even if it means risking her own life.
With the unexpected return of his estranged gay son Ben (Franco), Briggs must find a way to either silence the law for good, or come to terms with the hidden relationship between Ben and the boy that he tried to end years ago.
We love a good gay mystery so here’s hoping this one satisfies. The film will hit theaters June 5 but get a preview with the trailer below.
Anthony Bryan Hilton
I am so sick of him! Just go suck a dick, get fucked and come out already. Stop acting as if you are gay. It’s an insult..
Gregg Jabarisidiki
I’m sure he’s messed around , he could also have some severe issues that counseling would help s great deal .
James Tegtmeier
He likes c*ck.
Robby Robinson
I love him and one of our biggest supporters….we should be thankful. Why all bitterness…
DarkZephyr
@Robby Robinson: I am with you. The stupidest comment was the very first one, in my opinion. He is actually bitter that we have such a huge straight ally apparently. What a doofus.
Curty
How does someone straight continue to make,.play in gay roles and everything basically centers around being gay? Sometimes I do question his motives, his thought process… its like he is adopting a persona… is he just toying with being gay, making it seem its so easy to “act” gay? Is he doing this for awareness? To promote homosexuality? Does he do these roles to prove to himself that he is a straight man that just wants to play and create gay roles? If he likes women, what does he tell them, “I just play gay guys…” I really wonder about this guy and his obsession with gay themes. If he’s straight its perplexing…
charmin88
What’s with the negativity? We should be thankful that there is a Straight guy out there with his position meaning giving us a spotlight we wouldn’t have gotten elsewhere. He is secure enough with his sexuality to not give a fck what others think. I for one love his obsession or positive curiosity for the Gay community if only more Straight guys was like Franco the world would be a better place. Laws for Marriage equality would be passed faster as well as acceptance.
Jody Cameron
Interesting that they left out Milk when mentioning his previous gay related films.
martinbakman
I think very highly of him. I think he is less homophobic then most gay men.
Glücklich
I’ll wait ’til it’s on netflix or something. The total lack of manners in movie theaters any more, even high-end and art-house, makes me want to go all James Holmes.
Saint Law
I dunno. Look how many gay actors fixate on straight roles.
jwtraveler
@Anthony Bryan Hilton: @Gregg Jabarisidiki: @James Tegtmeier: You’re a bunch of stupid assholes. Shut up!
@Jody Cameron: Interesting that you commented on them leaving out Milk without bothering to read the story, where they mentioned Harvey Milk.
Cagnazzo82
James Franco gets to have his cake and eat it too.
Says he’s not gay, yet get to play gay roles every other movie he’s in.
He’s definitely been cashing in on that ambiguity for quite a while now.
Sluggo2007
I have never heard him say he’s not gay. I do think he fools around. Let’s stop bashing him and embrace him for his support.
mmichael_24
@Curty: So does that mean a gay actor accepts straight roles just to prove that they are gay? If he wants to play gay roles why does it matter why. The only thing that should matter is that he is secure with himself and doesn’t discriminate against the gay community.
Xzamilio
Whoooo… some of y’all are bitter. Just admit you wanna fuck Franco and are mad he’s playing with your emotions. It’s okay, though… gay or straight, you’ll never have him.
Dev.C
I think it’s kinda sad that we support and pay more attention to James Franco than we do gay actors like Zachary Quinto and Wentworth Miller. Guys like them are just as talented because they write and direct like Franco does. I think James gets so much attention because he sexually identify as Straight and that fascinates a lot of people because his other interest are so homosexually oriented. I think it’s fine that he’s considered a gay supporter but can we scratch our own back before we scratch another straight man’s who can pretty much do what he wants in the media.
Michael G Harvey
I thank him for his support….BUT….and this is a big but, if he is gay and hasn’t come out or is afraid to, then he is the worst role model for the gay community and isn’t doing any of us any favours…least of all himself
Will Glitzern
I’m not sure I want to sit through a movie that takes place in Texas and the actors sound like hicks.
Joshua Grubb
Who is the other guy in this photo?
Joseph Molnar
why doesn’t he just come out already? He’s soooo annoying!
Jesse Balcuns-Contreras Jr.
Kit Balcuns-Contreras
Seriously
Seriously, while it would be lovely if he was gay, there is no doubt that if he was he would be out by now. He was raised by super liberal folks in the bay area, beatnicks were his godparents and he has been surrounded by LGBT people all his life. I am sure he’s given it a try but stop trying to say he is in the closet because he plays gay characters. Do we say that every gay identified actor that plays a lot of straight characters must really be straight?
Robert Castaneda
It’d be hot if he really was gay ð??
JackFknTwist
He’s a great guy and a valuable ally. Quit all the negative tripe here.
Kernos
Who’s that he’s hugging? We should be thankful for his support.
Clark35
*yawn* He should just come out as bisexual or gay since that’s what he is, and his acting sucks.
Roberson Randy
Very good actor!
Johnny Angelo Paccini
<3 U FRANCO
martinbakman
Love Robert Duvall. Hope the movie is better than that trailer. I think it will be.
David Chachki
Lmaoð???ð???ð???
Sluggo2007
@Michael G Harvey: Since when did you acquire the power to demand that someone comes out? It’s a personal choice. You sound like a gay washerwoman.