08/08/2008
James Franco on Sean Penn's Penis Envy in Milk
James Franco appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live last night to talk about Pineapple Express but he seemed much more interested in talking about Milk, and his experience wearing a prosthetic penis in scenes with Sean Penn.
Said Franco: "When I read the script, there was like, one kissing scene. No problem. It's acting....So, but as soon as I signed on I get a new script. Page five, like, full-on love scene. There's like three to five new love scenes in the movie. Gus! What's goin' on? And he said, well, Sean wants it. Sean asked for the love scene."
Added Franco: "Sean's doin it. If he wants to do it, who am I to say no? So the first day of shooting I had to do this scene where everybody else is in clothes and I have to dive into the pool naked. And I was very uncomfortable but the make-up artist on the day handed me this prosthetic penis and said here, you can wear this. It'll make you more comfortable...The scene went on for a long time, like half the day. It's just getting old — diving into this pool naked. And I go over to Sean and I guess he didn't know I was wearing a prosthetic. And I said to Sean, 'You are such a great actor. You wouldn't do a scene like this if they asked . You wouldn't dive into the pool naked,' and he said, not knowing I was wearing a prosthetic he said, 'Well James, if I was built like you, I would.' I didn't say anything. Cut to a couple weeks later we did this scene. We're both dancing and we're both naked, and we both now had prosthetic penises. He finally put it together that I'm wearing the Boogie Nights prosthetic. And he said 'James that time in the pool!' And I said 'Yeah I was wearing the prosthetic.' And he said 'God, I'm so relieved.' And then, he's like 'You show me your prosthetic, I'll show you mine.'"
Watch it, AFTER THE JUMP...
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Posted 10:07 AM EST by Andy Towle in Film, Harvey Milk, James Franco, News, Sean Penn | Permalink
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I think he's adorable. Not at all homophobic, just as naturally as uncomfortable as most of us would be if our job required us to be naked in front of a lot of co-workers.
One thing did irritate me - the widely repeated misconception that Harvey Milk was the first openly gay official in America. At least three gay people were elected as early as 1974, three years before Milk won office: Elaine Noble (Massachusetts legislature), Kathy Kozachenko (Ann Arbor City Council), and Allan Spear (Minnesota legislature).
Spear went on to spend 28 years in the state legislature and Senate, capping a distinguished career by serving as President of the Senate from 1992 until his retirement in 2000. He is by far the longest serving openly gay official in U.S. history.
Posted by: Smartypants | Aug 8, 2008 4:24:25 PM
Some of the reactions to this clip is much to do about nothing. We can be a little too sensitive at times.
Posted by: Franklin | Aug 8, 2008 6:23:22 PM
Franklin, this is only the start, it'll get worse. We're no doubt in for weeks on end of Brokeback-esque frigity and "btw, my real-life girlfriend says...".
I just don't get why they make such a big deal out of even pretending to get freaked out. They don't mind playing evil-doers or killers do they? ;)
Posted by: Eoin M | Aug 9, 2008 6:44:15 AM
It's the overall sophomoric humor and nature of men in general, whether gay, straight, or otherwise. Whenever sexual situations are discussed, they get giddy. Jack and Karen, on Will & Grace, always giggled when they said words that could be misconstrued. Are you going to call the Will & Grace Team homophobic? Even as a gay man, who has no difficulty talking about my sex life with others; [I] would feel a tad uncomfortable telling such a story to countless people over the airwaves. And since he did make this film and acted in all of these scenes, you are hard-pressed (tee hee, hard; tee hee pressed) to consider him truly homophobic.
And that smile? Mmmmm, mmmmm, good!
Either way, I’d still do him.
Posted by: Jeff | Aug 9, 2008 2:57:16 PM
There's also the MPAA Ratings Board to consider. If you remember from Natl Geograhics the tribe wearing just the phallic gourds on their members considered themselves "fully-clothed", and to be seen in-public without the gourd was "scandalous" and "taboo" despite the fact that they were basically stark-naked either-way. Use of the prosthetics by the principal actors might get the producers around the imposition of an X-rating....since they weren't really "naked"; they were "in-makeup" or "in costume".
The MPAA has funny rules for scoring if a movie gets an "R" or an "X". And an X-rating is still box office-poison for mainstrem distribution.
Posted by: Ted B. (Charging Rhino) | Aug 9, 2008 4:09:07 PM
Pathetic, isn't it? Mr. Franco has to "nudge-nudge wink-wink say-no-more say-no-more" to make his point. Already, I am not wanting to see this film. Sad. I liked James Franco as an actor before this. Sorry, James, but you just got tossed into the "Biz Basket". Asshole.
Posted by: mike | Aug 10, 2008 12:50:29 PM
why is everybody making such a big deal about this, like he was being outright homophobic? remember he signed up to do the movie in the first place, that doesnt scream homophobe to me. stop looking for reasons to be angry at other people and move on with your lives
Posted by: nic | Aug 10, 2008 2:29:28 PM
ACTING: is the work of oneself, who by, putting their "original Person" aside, becomes what is then seen as the "Other".
Posted by: Victor | Aug 12, 2008 11:43:26 AM
Wow. I didn't know so many internet posters were so perfect. Sorry, I'd be uncomfortable doing a gay scene. "Pretend you are hot and bothered for Sean Penn." Um, ok.
He did it. C'mon. He saw a kiss, had no problem with it, then gets to the set and has a love scene. He has to prepare to get into the scene (no pun intended). Don't tell me gay actors don't feel uncomfortable doing straight scenes. You have to fake it and fake it well.
Funny how you see judgment thrown around all over the political spectrum. He'll be called a fag and homophobic many more times over the next year.
Posted by: Bubba | Aug 13, 2008 9:46:53 PM