First official picture of Matt Damon and Michael Douglas as lovers for Liberace biopic as they reveal filming sex scenes was 'awkward'

They are playing gay lovers in the latest Liberace biopic and official pictures reveal just how far Michael Douglas and co-star Matt Damon have changed their appearance to star in the film.
In the first official shot of the pair in character Douglas looks almost unrecognisable as Liberace while Damon, who plays Scott Thorson, the singer's young live-in love, looks sculpted in heavy make-up.
The official picture, on Entertainment Weekly, accompanies a piece where both actors reveal filming the numerous sex scenes was always 'awkward.'

Awkward! Matt Damon and Michael Douglas revealed filming the numerous sex scenes was slightly uncomfortable

'The scene where I’m behind him and going at him, we did that in one take,” recalls Damon, laughing. 'We do it. Cut. There’s a long pause. And then you just hear Steven [director Steven Soderbergh] go, “Well… I have no notes.”'

Douglas and co-star Damon previously said biopic Behind the Candelabra was almost scrapped after it was branded too explicit.
Douglas revealed that he found his inspiration for the role by channelling memories he had of meeting Liberace as a child though his father, actor Kirk Douglas, and that he also spent a great deal of time studying footage of the musician.
When asked that question, Douglas joked with reporters, saying that she has seen the film, and that she 'loves it'.

Going retro: Damon and Douglas filming Liberace and his gay lover Thorson on the Palm Springs set last summer

His side of the stiry: Matt Damon will play Liberace's lover Scott Thorson

Flamboyant: Next year Michael Douglas will hit our screens as the legendary music icon, Liberace in HBO movie, Behind the Candelabra

'There's a tremendous amount of clips and films that certainly give you a sense and idea' of the spirit of Liberace, he said.
And for as much as Liberace's over-the-top persona is often parodied today, director Steven Soderbergh made sure to keep the tone of the film true to the life of the legendary entertainer.
'We take the relationship very seriously. I was very anxious that we not make it a caricature,' he said of the project, which he also described as 'La Cage Aux Folles on steroids.'

Almost didn't happen: Director Steven Soderbergh (left) said the film was shot down for being 'too gay'

Soderbergh explained that he has been selling the idea of a Liberace biography for years, having first approached Douglas about the role 12 years ago when they worked together on the movie Traffic. 

Lavish lifestyle: Matt said his character had dozens of costume changes

Unfortunately, before the project could ever take off, Soderbergh said it was turned down by many studios for being 'too gay.'
'There's no question that it's unfortunate to see the movie through a contemporary lens and know that they weren't able to be as open back then as people are today,' Soderbergh said.
Damon, who plays Liberace's long time lover Scott Thorson, said one of his favourite parts of working on the project was the lavish attention to detail.
'I probably spent more time in wardrobe fittings than I did in my previous 15 projects,' he said.
But the Promised Land actor said the film's love story is what he hopes will resonate with audiences more than the singer's ritzy lifestyle.
'It was so complex their relationship,' he said. 'They had profound love for each other.'
He continued: 'It was fun, but we weren't giggling about it. We took it very seriously.'

Douglas also offered praise for his co-star Damon, who played the role based on Thorson's confessions in the book, Behind the Candelabra: My Life with Liberace.
'I don't think I would have had the courage at that point in my career to take that on,' he said.
Weintraub also revealed that Thorson said was not cooperative with the production, and that he has not been able to talk to him for several months.

Taking it seriously: Damon said there was extra pressure to make sure the film was true to life

He knew Liberace: Douglas had met the legendary performer several times as a child

Praise for Matt: 'I don't think I would have had the courage at that point in my career to take that on,' he said of Matt's role

Weintraub said that Thorson has yet to screen the biopic, and that while the crew tried to reach him for fact checking purposes, he was unavailable.
The executive producer also talked about using his own personal relationship with Liberace to help paint the picture.
'I knew him very well,' Weintraub said. 'He was a wonderful guy, a great host, I went to his home many times for dinner.'
'I was always impressed with his graciousness and the way he treated us,' he continued.

Close friends: Matt and Michael bonded on the film, which focused on the singer's 'complex relationship' with his lover Scott Thorson

And that while people tend to mock Liberace's eccentric performing style, he says he was just a victim of the times.

'He was [fabulous] before Lady Gaga and Madonna and Elton John,' he said. 'I think his piano playing became secondary to [pleasing] his audience, he presented a spectacle every night.'
Ultimately, the film is very respectful to the late performer, Weintraub said.
'Everybody appreciated him and his career, and I think Stephen captured that on film.'
And what does Douglas' wife Catherine Zeta-Jones think of the film?