Zachary Quinto Loves James Franco, But Not ‘Heroes,’ Apparently


Zachary Quinto has been gushing lately over James Franco, his co-star in the upcoming film Michael, which tells the true story of a gay activist turned homophobic minister. But the actor who plays everybody’s favorite Vulcan in the J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek flicks has dashed the hopes of anyone expecting his return in an upcoming Heroes miniseries.

Quinto has been quoted singing Franco’s praises, applauding James for his willingness to stand up for gay rights, according to E! Online.

“My feeling about James, in particular, is that he’s someone who is really interested in generating a dialogue, and his personal position or perspective on something is almost less important to him than in what that position he adopts will generate in other people. And I think he’s a provocateur in that way,”

Zachary, who came out in 2011, is not at all upset that Franco, a straight man, has gotten a lot of press for being an outspoken defender of homosexuality.

“I feel like putting it out there, and putting it out there in different ways, is something that’s interesting and something that I don’t think people should shy away from. I have respect for that. I think it’s what you do with the dialogue once it’s generated that becomes important to our culture.”

In Michael, slated for release next year, Quinto plays the lover of Franco’s character, Michael Glatze, a real-life pastor who was once a fixture in gay culture before denouncing his sexuality. The film’s script is based on a New York Times Magazine article about Glatze’s life.

Now for the bad news. Despite owing his rise to stardom — at least in part — to the role of the mostly-villainous Sylar on Heroes, Quinto has said he will not be returning for the Heroes Reborn miniseries slated for next year.

When asked, he stated emphatically, “I’m not going to do it.”

According to CBS News, he claims there are several considerations keeping him from reprising Sylar. This includes his interest in “cultivating other experiences.” One can assume he’s talking about the Star Trek variety of “other experiences,” as it sure seems Zachary has hitched his wagon firmly to the USS Enterprise. He’s definitely on board with one more Trek movie, which, as reported by The Inquisitr, is due out in 2016, the 50th anniversary of the original TV show.

What do you think about the future of Heroes without Zachary Quinto as Sylar? On the flipside, are you looking forward to Michael?

[Image via The Backlot]

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