The chameleonic actor is once again portraying a man suffering from early-onset dementia in “Supernova,” a moving portrait of a couple in crisis, directed and written by Harry Macqueen, alongside his partner Colin, played by Sam Firth, for 20 years.
The couple heads out on a road trip across the mountainous region of Lake District, England, aboard their old RV to visit people who are special to them, as their tested love for Tusker’s memory continues to deteriorate.
During a recent call, Tucci talked about how he can’t believe so many people actually think that the internet is telling them about his love for “Burlesque” and that he thinks he’s gay, finding out since 1996 that his wife has been playing a role as a straight man.
During the pandemic, I watched “The Daytrippers,” which came out in 1996, and realized that you’ve been playing gay for longer than I thought. Ha! I loved Mottola Greg (Writer-director) so much that I made $65,000, no money like that something, and my first kiss was with him.
It’s amazing how much people love movies like “Supernova” without even mentioning it. It’s never dwelled upon how fantastic it is, but I think it’s even more interesting that a heterosexual couple could have made it. They’re just two people who have been in a long relationship together, and their sexuality isn’t even an issue. “Supernova” is about love, and that’s what I love about it. When it comes to comparing your role as Tusker to your role as Louis, it’s interesting to see how the film treats homosexuality.
“Assist me. I am uncertain about the course of action. I am truly perplexed,” he states in the conclusion, when we witness it exclusively — and the reality that this character was homosexual. What appealed to me was the portrayal of his utter bewilderment and his struggle with societal expectations. What I adored about “Daytrippers” was the absence of any criticism from anyone, and there are numerous individuals who can relate to that.
I remember the days when you played a straight actor in 1996, during our conversation about how brave that was and how you were portraying a gay man.
How have you managed to distance yourself from me and all these years of playing gay, when there are not many straight actors who have been able to do so? Ha! You are the one who has told me how you have gotten away with playing gay all these years, and I don’t know how.
After watching this film, one can never be certain. Who can say? I’m unsure if that’s still true, but there was a period when many individuals believed I was homosexual. Ha! People assume that you are homosexual because I believe you convincingly portray gay characters. I’ve been sharing this with my friends.
If I am presented with something, whether it is a character that doesn’t really ring true to me, a straight or gay character, or whatever the character may be, I will do my best to rewrite and rewrite it myself, changing the lines and the way it should be done. I just want to be truthful to the tone of the film and the character, no matter what role I play. So, listen to my feeling.
I was like, “Wait a minute.” She was looking, you know? Stanley Tucci had come first in that thing, and she punched me in my name on the internet, my wife, Felicity (Blunt), when I was dating her and after “The Devil Wears Prada,” for a while. It was quite a period. It wasn’t exactly quiet. Ha! So, what I’m curious about is if you remember anyone coming up to me and saying, “You’re not gay, you’re ‘You’re,'” during that time in your life.
“The name Stanley Tucci might be associated with age. However, that’s not the initial thought that comes to mind, I believe. If you search my name, it’s unlikely that you’d find any significant interest or concern.”
If there are people who are gay and if they are the ones who should be doing it, then it is right for them. I always feel better when there is someone out there who is better than me at it – I don’t want to make sure that there is someone out there who is better for it. I’m not apprehensive, no. How has that changed for you over the years and is there a different kind of thought process or apprehension when considering playing a gay role? There has been increasing pushback on straight actors playing LGBTQ roles.
Now, I think one of the problems here is that gay actors have not played a lot of gay roles because you wouldn’t be able to come out and be openly gay for a long time, and you could only be cast as a gay person if you were lucky enough to be cast at all, because you might be ostracized for being openly gay.
Now, it is very disconcerting to think that at the very beginning of the field, the level of play is finally starting. I can certainly attest to the fact that this is true for Italian-Americans. It is true for the Hispanic community as well. It is true for the African-American community as well. You weren’t typecast as “this” and you weren’t typecast either. There is a need to get to where we can play whatever roles, whether they are gay roles or straight roles, and actresses can openly be gay and characters can openly be gay. There can be more of a level playing field and a change in that beginning.
What is hard is that throughout all those difficult times, your friends have helped you. You have seen them go through a lot, raising their children and facing various challenges. Despite all the loss and difficulties you have experienced, you have been there for each other. Over the years, as we have grown older, we have come to know each other well. I have never had a brother like him, I just love him. The only thing that would be different if we were in a sexual relationship is that it would be on screen. I love him and we love each other because we have loved other men in our lifetime. It comes naturally to play with Colin, and I am allowed to have a relationship with him. What do you think about your relationship with Colin?
Oh! With an actress! Or… An actress? Have you ever thought about exchanging roles with another actor before? And you exchanged roles in this movie with Colin.
Can you challenge your response, is that possible if you’re close pals? Once again, that occurrence is highly uncommon. Moreover, it has never occurred previously, no, to address your inquiry. However, it was the way it was, therefore we had to maintain it, the sole issue being that I was unable to vocalize. She was extremely eager to assume my part, perhaps as Cher in Burlesque? Ha!
It is simply staggering how talented I am. These people are absolutely incredible. I almost had a heart attack when I met Liza Minnelli a couple of times and John Elton a couple of times. I’ve met all of them. If you had to choose, which other gay icons would you happily call your boss? And you’ve acted alongside Meryl Streep and Cher.
“I’m simply messaging Cher.” I occasionally display my children my mobile device and you know, to have the opportunity to connect with her and collaborate with her and develop a friendship with her is simply remarkable…And I had the most significant infatuation for her when I was young, I am aware that she is a revered figure within the LGBTQ+ community and I believe collaborating with Cher is a great opportunity.
Did you know that Cher famously admitted she didn’t quite live up to its potential, but she found “Burlesque” to be quite horrible? Yeah, ha!
However, it has endured within the LGBTQ+ community. It’s remarkable how many people recognize you. I cannot possibly keep track of all the individuals, not just those from the LGBTQ+ community. Everyone comes forward and exclaims, “I adore that film. I adore ‘Burlesque’.” And I find myself thinking, “Oh my goodness – truly?”