Major studios tell Steven Soderbergh 'Liberace film is too gay' (Video)

Matt Damon opens up about his love scenes with Michael Douglas in the new Liberace biopic, Behind the Candelabra, based on the legendary pianist's relationship with Scott Thorson.

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Steven Soderbergh has a career going that any director/producer would envy. His work includes:

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  • "We Need to Talk About Kevin" Executive producer
  • "The Informant" Director/Cinematographer
  • "The Girlfriend Experience Director
  • "Michael Clayton" Executive producer
  • "Oceans Eleven", Twelve and Thirteen Director
  • "Traffic" Director/Cinematographer
  • "Erin Brokovich" Director
  • "Sex Lies and Videotape" Director

Soderbergh is a big player. However, he scares some studios. The current scare is his film "Behind the Candelabra." The film stars Michael Douglas as Liberace and Matt Damon as the musician's much younger lover. Other cast members are Dan Aykroyd, Rob Lowe, Debbie Reynolds and Scott Bakula.

According to "TheWrap:"Soderbergh couldn't get the funds to make this film. He was shopping this film right after 'Brokeback Mountain,' but the studios all said his film was too gay".

Actors Michael Douglas (L) and Matt Damon speak onstage during the 'Behind the Candelabra' panel discussion at the HBO portion of the 2013 Winter TCA Tourduring 2013 Winter TCA Tour - Day 1 at Langham Hotel on January 4, 2013 in Pasadena, California.
Actors Michael Douglas (L) and Matt Damon speak onstage during the 'Behind the Candelabra' panel discussion at the HBO portion of the 2013 Winter TCA Tourduring 2013 Winter TCA Tour - Day 1 at Langham Hotel on January 4, 2013 in Pasadena, California.
Photo credit: 
Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

Soderbergh was able to get a theatrical release for "The Girlfriend Experience" (I'm the only critic that actually liked this film), which cost a million and a half bucks. It starred porn star Sasha Grey. He needed $5M for "Behind the Candelabra," and couldn't get it, even though it has several major stars attached.

HBO stepped up and will be showing the film on cable.

HBO also announced today, Friday 4, they will be showing another gay-themed film based on the play "The Lonely Heart." Starring Julia Roberts and Mark Ruffalo, this film will be shown next year.

Congratulations to HBO for having the balls to pick up these two films so they can reach their audience.

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, Eugene Pop Culture Examiner

Originally from California, Terra has deep roots in entertainment. Spending several days and nights a week in Hollywood snapping photos of the rich and infamous. However, as it turns out, writing about movies and entertainers makes Terra much happier. She's written for Examiner.com for several...

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