Charles Melton Endured a Tedious 9-Hour Process Wearing a Prosthetic for ‘May December’ Sex Scene
Charles Melton discusses the grueling 9-hour experience of wearing a prosthetic during an intimate sex scene with Natalie Portman in the highly acclaimed film 'May December'
Charles Melton spoke openly about wearing a prosthetic for a sex scene in May December, stating that the experience was very professional. In an interview with Variety, the 32-year-old actor discussed the intimate onscreen moment with costar Natalie Portman, as well as the meeting with director Todd Haynes to walk through the scene and ensure everyone was comfortable.
Melton confirmed his decision to wear a body prosthetic instead of revealing himself completely. "There were several discussions about the prosthetic, figuring out what would look realistic and what wouldn't," he said.
However, the process was laborious for Melton. "I had to wear that prosthetic for nine hours that day," he remembered. "I didn't have anything to drink that morning or the night before. It was a challenging process, but it was also very respectful."
May December, which started streaming on Netflix in December, has already scored Melton multiple award nominations for his role as Joe.
In the movie "May December," Charles Melton plays Joe. The film follows Elizabeth, played by Portman, as she travels to learn about and portray Gracie, played by Julianne Moore, in an upcoming project. The movie is based on the infamous relationship between Gracie and Joe, who is 23 years younger than her, and is heavily inspired by Mary Kay Letourneau’s relationship with her student Vili Fualaau.
Not only did Melton wear a prosthetic for the project, but he also put on 40 pounds, which ultimately landed him the role.
"I'm really thankful that Charles Melton came into our radar. I didn't know him from Riverdale. His appearance almost made me hesitant," Haynes told Vulture in September. "I imagined Joe would be a handsome man, but Charles has that rugged and attractive quality that wasn't exactly how I envisioned him."
The director commended Melton for his dedication to the project, stating, “He transformed his chiseled self into something more relatable. A suburban man in this setting. The choices he made as an actor displayed remarkable physicality. A friend of mine watched a preview and remarked, ‘Charles moves like a child and an old man, a combination of the two’ — which perfectly fits his predicament.”
Natalie Portman as Elizabeth Berry and Charles Melton as Joe in May December. Francois Duhamel / courtesy of Netflix
Leading up to the highly praised premiere of May December, Melton discussed his intricate preparation process, describing it as a deep, multi-layered exploration of the human experience.
“I inquired with my parents about their experience after I moved out, the type of discussions they had in their own relationship. They shared with me that they felt very melancholic,” he conveyed to Variety in May. “My mother is Korean, and I’m first generation on my mother’s side. She prepared every meal for me during my upbringing. My father was very adept at embracing this new phase and trusting that it would turn out for the best.”
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Melton has already won accolades from the Gotham Awards, New York Film Critics Circle, and Santa Barbara International Film Festival for his performance in May December. He has also been nominated for a Golden Globe and is a strong contender for the Oscars.
May December is currently streaming on Netflix.
