Will Ferrell on homophobia claims: Any comedy will offend someone
Will Ferrell has weighed in on claims that his new film is homophobic – by asserting that “any R-rated comedy” will offend some people.
The Elf star appears in ‘Get Hard’ as a businessman who is wrongly jailed for tax evasion, and recruits a black friend (Kevin Hart) to ‘train’ him to survive prison.
In one scene, Ferrell’s character goes to a gay bar and attempts to perform a sex act on a man in a toilet, in order to ‘prepare’ for prison, before breaking down in tears.
However, Ferrell has brushed off the criticism, claiming the film’s stereotypes are a natural part of comedy.
He told Associated Press: “Any time you’re going to do an R-rated comedy, you’re going to offend someone… but that’s kind of what we do.
“We provoke. We prod. We also show a mirror to what’s already existing out there.
“We’re playing fictitious characters who are articulating some of the attitudes and misconceptions that already exist.”
Hart added: “Here’s the beautiful thing about Will and myself: You’re looking at two guys that are no strangers to criticism
“The critic’s job is to critique. I don’t think I’ve ever had a great review on a film that I’ve done. Not one.
“Everybody always has had something to say. And if they’re not talking, then you have a problem.”
He said: “I feel I can’t [play a gay character] because I don’t think I’m really going to dive into that role 100 percent, because of the insecurities about myself trying to play that part.
“What I think people are going to think while I’m trying to do this is going to stop me from playing that part the way I’m supposed to.”
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