{"id":51014,"date":"2024-05-08T23:36:17","date_gmt":"2024-05-08T21:36:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/?p=2037656"},"modified":"2024-05-09T00:01:45","modified_gmt":"2024-05-08T22:01:45","slug":"michael-douglas-on-nepotism-playing-an-american-legend-and-sex-scenes","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/rss_feed\/michael-douglas-on-nepotism-playing-an-american-legend-and-sex-scenes\/","title":{"rendered":"Michael Douglas on nepotism, playing an American legend and sex scenes"},"content":{"rendered":"

“It\u2019s interesting with all the intimacy co-ordinators. It feels like executives taking control away from film-makers.” <\/p>

By Stephen Kelly\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Wednesday, 08 May 2024 at 21:36 PM<\/p>

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For his most recent role, Michael Douglas is playing Benjamin Franklin \u2014 writer, scientist, inventor and one of the founding fathers of the United States. Apple TV+<\/a> drama Franklin, however, explores one of the polymath\u2019s lesser-known qualities: diplomacy. Specifically, his efforts in 1776, at the age of 70, to bring France into the American War of Independence \u2014 one of the great gambles of his career. It was a character that Douglas, at 79, could relate to. Both in their 70s, the two men are celebrities of their time and find themselves in uncharted territory\u2026<\/p>\n

Your father was Kirk Douglas. Was it difficult to emerge from his shadow and make a name for yourself?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Oh, very much so. I remember when I first started auditioning and they\u2019d say, \u201cThat\u2019s just like your dad, that\u2019s amazing, just the same expression as your father\u201d. But the best part of being second-generation is you understand how the business operates. When I was growing up, I\u2019d see Frank Sinatra, Tony Curtis and Gregory Peck in the house and you\u2019d see their foibles and insecurities, just like real people.<\/p>\n

How do you feel about the recent spotlight on so-called \u201cnepo babies\u201d in Hollywood?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I\u2019m a little defensive about that. There was a big article about it in New York Magazine and I thought it was a snarky attack. Whether it\u2019s a plumber or electrician or anyone else, I can\u2019t think of a business where mothers and fathers don\u2019t encourage their children to follow them into it. All three of my kids are actors and I wish them the best, because it\u2019s not easy.<\/p>\n

As a star of erotic thrillers like Fatal Attraction and Basic Instinct, what\u2019s your opinion on the discussion that sex scenes are disappearing from cinema?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I\u2019m past the age where I\u2019ve got to worry about that! But it\u2019s interesting with all the intimacy co-ordinators. It feels like executives taking control away from film-makers \u2013 but there have been some terrible faux pas and harassment. Sex scenes are like fight scenes, it\u2019s all choreographed. In my experience you take responsibility as the man to make sure the woman is comfortable, you talk it through. You say, \u201cOK, I\u2019m gonna touch you here if that\u2019s all right\u201d. It\u2019s very slow but looks like it\u2019s happening organically, which is hopefully what good acting looks like.<\/p>

You were diagnosed with oral cancer in 2010. How did that affect you \u2014 did that brush with mortality make you want to try new things?<\/strong><\/p>\n