Bourne trilogy star Matt Damon
is preparing to take on a gay role.
Damon will star opposite Michael
Douglas in an upcoming film about the life of uber-entertainer
Liberace.
Ocean's Eleven director Steven
Soderbergh is developing the biopic for Warner Brothers, and has
drafted Michael Douglas to play the flamboyant pianist. Damon will
play the part of Scott Thornson, Liberace's alleged lover.
“Matt Damon's going to be my younger
lover,” Michael Douglas told the UK's Sun. “God bless
Matt.”
Liberace
vehemently denied being gay and successfully sued The Daily
Mirror and Confidential
in 1957 for implying he was gay. Writing in the UK-based Mirror
Cassandra (AKA William Connor) gave credibility to gay rumors by
saying Liberace was “The summit of sex – the pinnacle of
masculine, feminine, and neuter. Everything that he, she, and it can
ever want ... a deadly, winking, sniggering, snuggling,
chromium-plated, scent-impregnated, luminous, quivering, giggling,
fruit-flavoured, mincing, ice-covered heap of mother love.” And
tabloid magazine Confidential
ran numerous articles implying he was gay, including the 1957
headline, “Why Liberace's Theme Song Should Be 'Mad About The
Boy!'”
The personal life
of Liberace – especially his true sexuality – remains mysterious
to this day. Born in Wisconsin, he started playing the piano at the
age of four. In the early 1940s he performed his musical act of
classical whimsy to New York audiences to some success, but hit the
jackpot in Las Vegas where he earned millions with his lavish –
some would say campy – musical productions.
In 1982, Scott
Thorson sued the pianist for $113 million in palimony – claiming
the pair shared a home for five years. The court dismissed his
claim, but he did receive a $95,000 settlement.
Liberace died at
the age of sixty-seven in 1987 from AIDS-related complications. His
noticeable rapid weight loss was attributed to a “watermelon diet”
by his longtime manager.
Variety
reports the film is in the early stages of development and is
expected to hit theaters in 2012.
Gay Entertainment Report is a feature
of On Top Magazine and can be reached at ontopmag@ontopmag.com