Actor Terrence Howard has revealed he declined a major role portraying music legend Marvin Gaye in a planned biopic  citing discomfort with a storyline that included romantic scenes with another man.

During an appearance on Club Random with Bill Maher, the Empire star explained that he turned down the role after learning that the script required him to kiss a male co-star. “I wouldn’t be able to do it,” Howard said. “I don’t fake it. That would mess me up  I would cut my lips off. If I kissed some man, I would cut my lips off.”

Howard noted that the project was being developed by director Lee Daniels, and claimed it was music producer Quincy Jones who informed him that Marvin Gaye was gay a revelation that, according to Howard, factored heavily into his decision.

Despite his comments, Howard was quick to assert that he is not homophobic. Rather, he framed his rejection of the role as a matter of personal artistic boundaries and method acting. “I can’t play that character 100 percent,” he explained. “I can’t surrender myself to a place that I don’t understand.”

The Marvin Gaye biopic has long been a challenging project to bring to life, with multiple attempts made over the years to capture the iconic singer’s complicated personal and musical legacy.