Matt Damon Has Played Gay Before

Matt Damon, the star of the Bourne trilogy, has played gay before, several commenters reminded us yesterday after On Top Magazine reported he'll take on a gay role.

Damon, who was named People magazine's sexiest man alive in 2007, will play the part of Scott Thornson, Liberace's alleged lover, in an upcoming Warner Brother's feature film scheduled to arrive in 2012. Ocean's Eleven director Steven Soderbergh has drafted Michael Douglas to play the flamboyant pianist.

Tom Cunha, the man behind such gay media ventures as 2015Place.com and GayTalkRadio.org, was the first to call the omission to our attention: “For those of us who have seen The Talented Mr. Ripley, this is not the first time Matt Damon has 'played gay'.”

Damon, 39, starred as Mr. Ripley in the 1999 psychological thriller. But an affair between struggling pianist Tom Ripley and wealthy globetrotter Dickie Greenleaf (played by British actor Jude Law) is only hinted at in the film version of Patricia Highsmith's novel. And whether Damon's character is in love with Dickie or his luxurious lifestyle muddles the character's sexual orientation further.

Certainly, the character is more than likely gay, but throughout the film, Damon doesn't so much as kiss another man.

Let's hope that's not the case for Damon and Douglas in the upcoming Liberace biopic.