Rocketman reportedly makes history as first studio film with explicit gay sex scenes
Rocketman, the Elton John biopic that premiered at the Cannes Film Festival last night, is being hailed as the first major studio film to depict a male gay sex scene on screen.
The Paramount picture features explicit lovemaking between Taron Egerton, who plays Elton John, and Richard Madden who plays his lover, the music manager John Reid. The scene includes nudity, kissing and stimulated oral-sex between the two men – areas that studios have traditionally shied away from.
Brokeback Mountain and Call Me by Your Name also depicted gay sex scenes, but these were both released by smaller “boutique” studio off-shoots and given limited releases (unlike Rocketman, which is aimed at a broader audience).
The recent musical biopic, Bohemian Rhapsody, didn’t show same-sex lovemaking in the such detail, despite the sexuality of the protagonist, Freddie Mercury.
Egerton, who identifies as heterosexual, has spoken about the reaction to the scene, telling The Hollywood Reporter: “Everyone is obsessed with it. … For me, kissing a man onscreen is no less appealing than kissing a woman onscreen. I’m not in any way repulsed by the male form. It’s an uncomfortable thing regardless of who you’re with — it makes no difference as to your sexual preference.”
Studios can be reluctant to feature gay sex scenes, in part, because it will disqualify a film from release in China, thereby limiting financial prospects. Bohemian Rhapsody edited out suggestions of Mercury’s homosexuality to secure release in the country.
About author
You might also like
Porn Star Diego Sans: ‘No Gay Man Is Tight.’
During a not-so recent interview after a just-concluded porn shoot with fellow performer, Lance Luciano, adult film star Diego Sans was asked about his exuberance during the sex. (Apparently, he’d
Olympic Swimmer Ian Thorpe Comes Out
In an interview that airs tonight in Australia, and after years of rumors, the record-breaking swimmer Ian Thorpe says he’s gay. After years of saying he’s straight, Thorpe has come
Christian Mother Asks How To Keep Her Gay Teen Son Pure, Internet Tears Her A New One In Response
This mother’s screen name was the first tip-off that trouble was afoot: scaredcatholicmom posted a lengthy plea for advice in a Catholic forum. Then there was her post’s title: “What
2 Comments
No
May 20, 07:26This was great casting. He looks like a young Elton John.
Bhawscity
May 20, 08:09I didnt know why people loved that freddie mercury biopic. Hollywood made a feel good movie there, his life and story was not a feel good one. They should have told his whole life story, from begining to end.