James Franco, set to play the lover of Harvey Milk in the upcoming ‘Milk’ film, was recently asked by Entertainment Weekly how Sean Penn (who plays Milk) rates as an onscreen lover. Franco said, “The top! He’s a little hairier than those other ones, but oh well.”

Of Van Sant, the director:

“It’s hard to think of a director or actor who I regard more highly than [Gus and Sean]. Gus has been a hero of mine since Drugstore Cowboy and My Own Private Idaho. And of course Sean is probably the best actor around. It was great. Surprisingly kind of comfortable and easy. Gus has a very soft-spoken, soft-handed approach, so he just brings everybody together, the right elements together, and then he doesn’t really have to do much. It just kind of happens. At least that’s how it feels.”