SAMUEL L. JACKSON FOR GAY ROLE?

After appearing in more than 100 movies, Samuel L. Jackson may be going where he’s never gone before and playing a gay role for the first time.

The 64-year-old star of films such as the Star Wars prequels, Snakes on a Plane and Django Unchained, is best known for his tough guy roles.

Now, he’s been cast in the film adaption of Steven King’s novel Cell as gay character Tom McCourt, described as a middle-aged engineer and former soldier.

At least, the character is gay in King’s novel but it’s not yet confirmed if he’ll remain so in the film version or if his sexuality will even be alluded to. (Hollywood has a history of de-gaying characters in movie adaptations).

Cell is an apocalyptic horror story published in 2006 about an artist, Clayton Riddell, who tries to re-unite with his son and wife after most people are turned into zombie-like creature through a mysterious cell phone signal.

Riddell, who will be played by John Cusack, is helped in his quest by Jackson’s character.

The script has been co-written by King and the film will be directed by Tod Williams (Paranormal Activity 2).