“While Chris Sarandon carries immense pride for this breakthrough role, he also acknowledged he would never land the Leon part today. ‘And rightfully so,’ he adds. ‘It should be somebody who’s more authentically aligned with the character, but I’m very proud of it.’” — from interview posted by People‘s Angela Andaloro on 10.4.25.
Bullshit, Chris! Sarandon is great in this scene. Acting is acting, and a gifted actor’s default orientation or sexual preference has very little to do with the ability to channel a character fully and profoundly. If they’re good enough, I mean.