John Gray, inspiration for Dorian (?)

The novel is currently being adapted as a stage production in London, choreographed by Matthew Bourne, leading to this feature article in The Guardian about John Gray, the supposed real-life Dorian. It's a great look at John Gray's life, although I've always been sceptical as to how much inspiration he gave Wilde beyond his last name. The article doesn't include a picture of John Gray, so here's the first result I got from Google, and you can judge his handsomeness for yourself.

Production Photos

Some photos from filming have begun circulating, go here for a couple from I'm Not Obsessed. I'm really not sold on the facial hair for Colin Firth as Lord Henry. I always pictured Lord Henry as clean-shaven (and thin. Oh snap!), but I guess the beard and moustache are there as cinema shorthand for "morally suspect", because as Hollywood knows, men with face grass are always hiding something. Plus it provides a great contrast with the smooth babyface of Ben Barnes as Dorian Gray (picture also available at the same link).

Ben Barnes Interview

Benjamin Barnes has an interview and photos in the September '08 edition of Interview magazine. A transcript of the interview can be read here, courtesy of Ben Barnes Online. Features this great quote from the actor:

I don't really see the point in making a film unless you can think of a good reason to do it. We live in this celebrity-obsessed, youth-obsessed culture, and it just seems to make a lot of sense to make this Dorian Gray film right now. Especially for me, as somebody who's...I don't know if "on the brink" is the right term, but sort of at the beginning of getting attention from the media and from other people. Dorian Gray is also somebody who, at the beginning, doesn't want to be looked at, doesn't really want to be noticed, but then begins to realize the power of youth and the power of people wanting to be around him. Obviously it goes very dark...

Seems a pretty accurate summary of Dorian's character to me!