J. EDGAR HOOVER MOVIE WILL NOT BE ‘DE-GAYED’

Scriptwriter Dustin Lance Black has insisted that the Clint Eastwood-directed biopic of controversial FBI director J Edgar Hoover will not be ‘de-gayed’.

Black, who is best known for writing the script for the Academy Award winning film Milk, spoke to AfterElton in response to a recent interview with Eastwood recently published by the Wall Street Journal.

The director was quoted as saying that when it comes to claims that Hoover was a cross-dresser and a closeted homosexual the film – which will star Leonardo DiCaprio as Hoover – “didn’t quite go down that road”.

Black, who wrote the biopic’s script commented: “To think that somehow you’re going to a make a movie about somebody like J. Edgar and you’re not going to learn what’s in his heart, that’s just not going to happen in a script that I write. It’s unfounded [the idea that the movie is being de-gayed.]” he told After Elton’s Michael Jensen.

He further explained that he believed that Eastwood was “referring to the fact that he’s not going into the stereotypes of who Hoover was because they are clownish, they are comic book and they reek of homophobia and he’s not going to do that.

“I agree with that. It won’t be going into anything that is a gay stereotype, especially that was used in that day to bash gay men. It won’t be going into that because it’s not accurate and it’s not true. It will deal with sexuality in a far more human, realistic way.”

Actor Armie Hammer, who will play Hoover’s rumoured lover Clyde Tolson in the film, recently spoke about his upcoming scenes with DiCaprio, confirming that, “it’s not a kissing scene. It’s a ton of kissing scenes”, adding, “I’m not nervous or afraid of it being awkward. The script is great. The scenes are in there for a reason. I’m really excited.”

Hoover and Tolson (who was associate director at the FBI) not only worked together but dined out, socialised and even holidayed together. They were constant companions for over 40 years and never married.

When Hoover died in 1972, Tolson inherited his house and estate. At the funeral, he was handed the US flag that was draped over Hoover’s coffin.

Hoover was the notorious architect of which-hunts against “subversives” and “radicals” – including homosexuals – during his almost 40 year reign as head of the FBI. He has been accused of having used illegal methods to spy on tens of thousands of Americans.