James Franco didn't hesitate to accept the part of homosexual poet Allen Ginsberg in a forthcoming biopic - his second gay role in as many years.

The actor's sexuality has become a matter of intense speculation since he agreed to play the longtime partner of gay public official Harvey Milk opposite Sean Penn in new movie Milk.

But the star insists he was so honored to be asked to play Ginsberg in forthcoming film Howl, he didn't care that it could fuel the gossip.

Asked about taking on back-to-back gay roles, Franco tells the New York Daily News: "(It) don't make any difference to me. Ginsberg has been one of my heroes and this movie is just so important.

"I'm playing him when he was in his late twenties, just after he went to Columbia (University)."

Howl will tell the story of the 1957 obscenity trial over one of Ginsberg's most famous poems.

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)