Jared Leto believes a gay leading man would not have the same opportunities in the film industry which he believes is still “very conservative”. In a new interview with GQ Style, the actor spoke about the limits the industry puts on gay actors.
“I definitely don’t think a gay leading man would have the same opportunities as a straight leading man,” Leto said. “I don’t know if that’s offensive or not, but that’s my thought right now. It shouldn’t be that way.
“This is still a very conservative business,” Leto added before talking about his own take on gender and masculinity.
“We’re in an interesting time right now where people are exploring all kinds of different ideas of identity, not just masculinity or femininity … For myself, I have never had a specific idea of masculinity. I think it’s OK just to be yourself and whatever that entails. You know, I’ve certainly never felt required to present myself in a certain way.”
The interview was pegged to Leto’s performance as the Joker in David Ayer’s comic-book blockbuster Suicide Squad, which opens on Thursday.
Leto’s casting as an HIV-positive trans prostitute in 2014’s Dallas Buyers Club, for which he won a best supporting actor Oscar, drew some criticism from the LGBT community, which argued a trans or gay person should have been considered for the role.
Leto’s comments echo what Matt Damon said to the Observer in a 2015 profile, that “it must be really hard for actors to be out publicly” and manage to find great success in Hollywood, citing out gay actor Rupert Everett, who failed to achieve Damon’s level of stardom.
The Good Will Hunting star went further, however, suggesting that actors shouldn’t disclose their sexuality.
“I think you’re a better actor the less people know about you, period,” he said at the time. “And sexuality is a huge part of that. Whether you’re straight or gay, people shouldn’t know anything about your sexuality because that’s one of the mysteries that you should be able to play.”
