(Screenshot via YouTube)

“King Cobra” director Justin Kelly doesn’t think James Franco is gay-baiting to help his career.

Franco has recently opened up about his views on sexuality in his work and own life, calling himself “a little gay” speaking with New York magazine.

In an interview with The Daily Beast, Kelly says Franco, who starred in “I Am Michael,” hasn’t received a positive reaction talking about his interest in gay culture.

“Before ‘I Am Michael’ he had already done a slew of gay-themed films. So before I ever met him or worked with him, I heard the conversation from within the gay community, which was typically very negative and skeptical. That he’s taking roles from gay actors, or what have you,” Kelly told The Daily Beast.

Franco, who has said he enjoys putting gay content in his films, stars in the upcoming “King Cobra,” a film about the 2007 murder of adult entertainment director Bryan Kocis.

Kelly says what Franco is doing isn’t hurting the gay community.

“But at this point I find myself being very defensive. Because honestly what he’s doing is more progressive and far more helpful to the gay community than—I’m going to put my foot in my mouth so I’m going to stop there,” Kelly continued.

Kelly also says Franco’s interest in making gay films isn’t calculated to earn gay fans.

“But for an actor of his caliber to say that he picks roles based on character and story, and sexuality is secondary, to keep playing gay characters, is a good thing. It’s wildly progressive. I don’t really understand [the conversation] because the whole point of what I feel like the gay community’s goal, to be quote-unquote ‘normal’ is having actors do what he does,” Kelly says.

“Even people will question his sexuality because he plays gay, it’s backwards to me. Why are you assuming that he’s gay because he keeps playing gay characters? And does that mean that gay actors can’t play straight characters? It goes both ways,” Kelly continued.

“King Cobra” also stars Keegan Allen, Garrett Clayton, Christian Slater and Molly Ringwald.