Stanley Tucci and Colin Firth discuss playing gay characters in 'Supernova'

The stars of Supernova, Stanley Tucci and Colin Firth, talk to Yahoo Entertainment about why they chose to play the roles of gay characters.

Video Transcript

COLIN FIRTH: Now as most of you all know, I am slowly losing my ability to remember. And I definitely wouldn't be here if it weren't for this man next to me.

ETHAN ALTER: We're obviously in an interesting time in terms of representation on film. So I wondered if you felt at all uncertain about taking-- being a straight actor playing a gay role in this case, if you feel like we're sort of past the time where that's something that is sort of the default casting.

STANLEY TUCCI: It's always a question because all you want to do is do it right. You want to be truthful to the film, you want to be truthful to the character, and to the community.

Having played gay characters before, I felt that I was in a good place to do it. And when I read the character, what I liked about it is that this relationship, it didn't matter if it was a gay relationship, or a straight relationship, or whatever. It was simply about love and loss.

It's good to get back on the road again, don't you think? But how about just exploring the outer regions of fifth gear?

COLIN FIRTH: Stanley will tell you this was a discussion. It was a very serious one, actually. And I was undecided for a bit. I don't think I found an exact answer. Obviously, I just ended up doing it.

In the end, because in some ways, it's what I always feel, that taking on a role feels like an insufferable presumption. It's like, you know, you know nothing about this person's lived experience or this person's lived experience. And yet, you are presuming to take a step into it. And not only that, you're trying to convince everybody that this is deeply felt, especially now.

Now, that always feels outrageous to me. But it's also the job. And so I feel that we are then challenged-- you know, you had really, really better explore this with as much sensitivity, as much integrity, as much sense of exploration and honesty, and make it as personal as you possibly can. And then you're just going to hope that it resonates in a way that's somewhat truthful.

STANLEY TUCCI: So can you tell that it's gotten worse?

ETHAN ALTER: I wondered how you felt about casting straight actors as a gay couple for this film, if that was a decision you really wrestled with?

HARRY MACQUEEN: Well it's something that I thought about and indeed wrestled with right from the start, from the moment I made the characters a same sex couple. I think it's a really, really important, vital conversation that we are having and continue to have. I think one of the reasons why we are continuing to have it is because perhaps no one quite knows exactly what the answer to it is. It's always important to treat each project as its own thing. And I think when you're presented with the opportunity to work with people like Colin and Stanley, and therefore kind of dive into part of their beautiful 20-year relationship to make these characters come alive, you can't sort of ignore how potent that possibly could be as a filmmaker.

But also, I think really the most important thing in all of it is that you're just trying your hardest to make the project with enough integrity, and respect, and grace as possible. And I think I hope that I do that, but certainly Colin and Stanley, that's how they work, you know?

ETHAN ALTER: Did you-- at any point, did you audition any other actors, any gay actors for the roles? Or was it always Stanley and Colin in your mind?

HARRY MACQUEEN: Well, Stanley was the first person we gave the script to. It was kind of-- casting processes probably aren't ever that easy, but it was pretty easy. We got the script to Stanley and Stanley loved it and had already given it to Colin. So it was kind of incredible. I mean, I knew that they worked together but I had no idea they were friends.

And I'd always-- the casting director, Shaheen, and I-- had always talked about hopefully being able to work with two actors that knew each other, had a shared history. And so to find out that they had this shared history was, you know, a bit of a home run.

- It's not about that. It's about love.

- No, Sam.

- I want to see this through with you to the end.

ETHAN ALTER: Have either of you heard from gay men who have seen the film and have responded to it? Are they happy with the way the relationship is portrayed in the film?

STANLEY TUCCI: Yes.

COLIN FIRTH: So far, it's been positive.

STANLEY TUCCI: Yeah, so far, so good. Yeah, so it's very flattering. I mean, no, we've had actually wonderful response. And that's really a good, good feeling.