When actors face questions about getting intimate on camera, conversations commonly revolve around awkward sex scenes, the embarrassment when a nude patch falls off mid sex-simulation, the agreement to have a few drinks to help settle the nerves à la Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt in Passengers, and the need for respect and privacy.
That was, until the internet brought to light an ignorant comment made by Ben Affleck 20 years ago regarding the subject of heterosexual actors kissing co-stars of the same sex.
It all started on Saturday when Chasing Amy director Kevin Smith revealed to a LGBTI film festival audience at the 20th anniversary screening of the 1997 comedy that one of the film's leading actors, Ben Affleck, was initially apprehensive about kissing his co-star, Jason Lee.
Recounting the moment, Smith reveals Affleck had told him that 'a man kissing another man is the greatest acting challenge an actor can ever face' and that following the scene, the now 44-year-old Oscar-winner Ben joked, 'now, I'm a serious actor'.
Unsurprisingly, Smith's revelation about Affleck soon caught speed on the internet, with Paper magazine's tweet, in particular, garnering some attention.
Westworld actress Evan Rachel Wood issued the most cutting retort.
'Ben Affleck says gay kissing is "the greatest acting challenge an actor could ever face",' read Paper's tweet. The tweet has since been deleted and the publication has issued an apology on their website admitting the tweet was written in 'a misleading way' and didn't accurately explain when the comments were made.
Nonetheless, in response, Wood tweeted: 'Try getting raped in a scene. Also, grow up Ben.'
Wood, 29-years-old, plays Dolores Abernathy in the hit science fiction western thriller, Westworld. Dolores is a character who is repeatedly and violently sexually abused by high-paying park guests.
A few minutes later, Wood – who is openly bisexual – also pointed out the absurdity of Affleck's homophobic and heteronormative suggestion that heterosexual actors always enjoy kissing actors of the opposite sex.
'Also, you think us ladies like kissing all the guys we kiss? Just cause its a "straight kiss" doesnt mean we enjoy it. Ahem,' she added.
A Twitter user commented on the actress' post to point out that Affleck's quote was 'from 20 years ago so I guess he did grow up'.
However, Wood highlighted that while the actor might have said the comments in jest, they continue to be damaging to society's understanding and acceptance of the LGBTQ community.
Affleck might have been 25-years-old when he made the offensive comments, but the passing of time doesn't give him a free pass for making homophobic and sexist remarks.
We're just glad to see people like Wood bringing to light the on-going disparity between men, women and the LGBTQ community working in Hollywood.
Katie O'Malley is the Site Director on ELLE UK. On a daily basis you’ll find Katie managing all digital workflow, editing site, video and newsletter content, liaising with commercial and sales teams on new partnerships and deals (eg Nike, Tiffany & Co., Cartier etc), implementing new digital strategies and compiling in-depth data traffic, SEO and ecomm reports. In addition to appearing on the radio and on TV, as well as interviewing everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Rishi Sunak PM, Katie enjoys writing about lifestyle, culture, wellness, fitness, fashion, and more.
