Michael Douglas Talks Playing Liberace and Matt Damon's "Bravery"

A cancer-free Michael Douglas sat down with Extra to talk about playing legendary showman Liberace in his next film.

He also brings up Matt Damon, who will be playing Liberace's lover Scott Thorson, and talks about Matt's ... oh dear ... "bravery" in playing a gay role.

"He's got a great attitude about it and very brave on his part. I'm not sure in the prime of my career, I would necessarily be jumping and diving into this role. It's a bold choice, but he makes bold choices."

Usually, our hackles are raised and our eyes roll when we hear someone make a comment about the "bravery" of playing gay, but I think we should probably cut Michael some slack.

First of all, he is from an earlier Hollywood age, and maybe doesn't realize that an actor in the prime of his career playing gay doesn't have the stigma it once did.

And secondly, well, there is that whole "still recovering from cancer" thing.