[buttmunch]

There's gold in homosexual roles. So are more top stars ready to play gay?

"Maybe some action hero might think it would hurt his career," says William H. Macy, whose wife, Felicity Huffman, scored a nomination portraying a transsexual.

We hear Brad Pitt is considering a movie based on Patricia Nell Warren's best seller "The Front Runner," about a track coach and an athlete (both gay) preparing for the Olympics.

"Brokeback Mountain" producer James Schamus says the next challenge is to have the gay roles go to gay actors. "The real breakthrough would be if an openly gay actor walks down the red carpet with his boyfriend," says Schamus.

"Munich" writer Tony Kushner notes that past nominee Ian McKellen did come to the Oscars with his partner, but recognizes that, even in his gay-themed HBO movie "Angels in America," there were no openly gay actors.

Out actors like Nathan Lane, Alan Cumming and Rupert Everett "tend to play comic parts," says Kushner. "There are closeted actors who play romantic roles and who aren't ready to come out. I don't think they should be forced."

Kushner's partner, writer Mark Harris, agrees: "I think the gay press and the gay community has to grow up a bit. They say, 'Jake Gyllenhaal played that scene [in "Brokeback"] too well. He must be gay! He's totally a closet case.' If I were a young gay actor, hearing that wouldn't encourage me to play a gay role."

nydailynews.com