Q:In 2005, when Heath Ledger was filming Brokeback, he also filmed Casanova. Jake Gyllenhaal filmed Jarhead at the same time he filmed Brokeback. What do you think about the contrast between Brokeback and the other two films the actors chose to star in. Gyllenhaal asserted several times while filming Brokeback that he wasn't Gay, and Ledger had an affair with his co-star, his wife in the film. What do the films and the other actions of the two stars say about their comfort with playing gay characters?

The contrast between Ledger and Gyllenhaal's prior roles and their respective roles in Brokeback shows both actors's versatility and adherence to their characters. From the description given, Casanova seemed to be a much more interpersonal film than Jarhead, as Ledger ended up having an affair with his on-screen wife, whereas there was no real-life "Pvt. Jake Gyllenhall" as a result of Jarhead.

Also, Ennis is far more secretive about his sexuality than Jack, who ends up being murdered as a result. Ironic that Jack was blatantly gay, as Gyllenhall's prior role was a Marine (before the enactment of DADT). Of course, Ledger's penultimate role was The Joker in The Dark Knight, so does that mean Ledger had to deny being a sociopathic terrorist in real life? Of course not. So why should he have to deny being straight when he portrays a gay man