Colman Domingo Says He Is ‘Constantly’ Receiving Scripts ‘About Slavery and Being Queer’
Samantha Bergeson
Colman Domingo isn’t looking to perpetuate stereotypes onscreen, especially when it comes to selecting projects to produce.
Domingo told GQ that his production company Edith predominantly receives scripts about “slavery and being queer.” As a queer Black-Latin filmmaker, Domingo doesn’t need to feel pigeonholed by his identity.
“The two things that I constantly get sent are about slavery and being queer,” Domingo said. “And I always think, ‘So why are you sending me this, if this isn’t even any of my interests, really?'”
Instead, Domingo added he wants to be writing and producing projects that “have a lot of light in them.”
Domingo even added a line to his upcoming film “Sing Sing,” saying, “Dying is easy. Comedy is hard.” And that comedy is what he’s striving for, while still being an Oscar-nominated dramatic actor.
“I like that I’m known for gravitas. If, at the end of the day, people want to know me for gravitas, I’ll take that,” Domingo said. “Because some people wish they could be known for gravitas….and there’s no way they could have gravitas.”
Domingo explained that his own sexuality has been part of his entire career. He’s always been an “out” actor.
“I would always be confused with the people who were suddenly honored because they came out after a long time of being in the closet. And they came out, and suddenly they’re given the keys to the city,” Domingo said. “They’re getting more access, they’re getting honors and awards and things like this. After a while, you sit there with your own feelings, you’re like, ‘But what about the people who just have been out, who’ve been taking possible knocks or lack of access? And no one’s giving them any praise or awards for that?'”
He added of when fans don’t realize he’s queer, “I don’t even know what that means. Am I supposed to have some indicator on me?”
Domingo next is securing financing for Nat King Cole biopic “Unforgettable” which he will write, direct, produce, and star in. He will additionally portray Joe Jackson in another musical biopic, this one about Michael Jackson. The feature is financed in part by the Jackson estate.
“I actually don’t think it’s trying to prove his innocence,” Domingo said of the controversial project and role. “I think it’s actually just trying to give a great examination of an artist, what made the artist who he is, what makes him complicated, for you to leave with your own answers. There’s a myriad of answers and possibilities, but here’s a human being, and you can’t discount a person’s humanity. I think that’s exactly what it’s aiming to do. And I think that’s why most of us got on board.”
