Buscemi defends 'Chuck and Larry' humor

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NEW YORK, July 15 (UPI) -- U.S. actor Steve Buscemi says he was surprised to hear some members of the gay community are offended by trailers for his upcoming big-screen comedy.

The "Interview" star and filmmaker will soon be seen in "I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry," a movie about firefighters (Adam Sandler and Kevin James) pretending to be gay to qualify for domestic partner benefits.

"I don't think you can tell what any movie is like by the trailer, and the premise is two very straight guys who are homophobic, pretending to be gay," Buscemi told reporters in New York.

"It's what they learn about people's attitudes about gay people and gay marriage and that's what I found very interesting about the film; that this is being explored in this broad, comedic, hopefully, commercial film, and, from what I've experienced on set, to me, it champions gay rights and gay marriage."

Buscemi said he has worked and been friends with Sandler for years and knows the comedian isn't really homophobic.

"I don't think that is any kind of message that he wants to portray," Buscemi added. "I would not have been involved with (the film) if I felt like that's what it was doing."