Tom Hanks says his role as Andrew Beckett in the 1993 drama Philadelphia couldn't be played by him today, and 'rightly so.' 'We’re beyond that now, and I don’t think people would accept the inauthenticity of a straight guy playing a gay guy.'
Tom Hanks explains why his role as attorney Andrew Beckett in the 1993 film Philadelphia couldn't be cast the same today. Philadelphia stars Hanks as a successful lawyer who is diagnosed with AIDS and wrongfully terminated from a prestigious Philadelphia law firm after a colleague spots the condition's telltale lesions.
Prior to being cast in the legal drama directed by Jonathan Demme, Hanks was largely known for his roles in light-hearted comedies and romantic films like Splash, Big, Turner & Hooch, and Sleepless in Seattle. However, that all changed after audiences saw his performance in Philadelphia, one of the first mainstream Hollywood films to properly address issues like HIV/AIDS and homophobia.
"Let’s address"could a straight man do what I did in Philadelphia now?" No, and rightly so. The whole point of Philadelphia was don’t be afraid. One of the reasons people weren’t afraid of that movie is that I was playing a gay man. We’re beyond that now, and I don’t think people would accept the inauthenticity of a straight guy playing a gay guy. It’s not a crime, it’s not boohoo, that someone would say we are going to demand more of a movie in the modern realm of authenticity.
Due to the changing culture, there has been an ongoing debate regarding whether or not non-LGBTQ+ actors should play lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer roles. In recent years, more and more LGBTQ+ actors are being cast to play these roles as on-screen representation has increased. As Hanks addresses, many feel only queer-identifying actors have the lived experience to authentically bring characters from these communities to life.
While Hanks doesn't think a straight actor would be able to play a gay character like Andrew Beckett today, this casting is not something that has been completely phased out. Recent examples include Ewan McGregor as the titular fashion designer in Halston and Benedict Cumberbatch as the brutish cowhand Phil Burbank in The Power of the Dog, both performances receiving significant praise and several award nominations.
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