Derek Villaneuva is one of the very cute leads in Longhorns, a raucous sex comedy that tells the story of a "straight" Texas fratboy who realises that maybe all his man-on-man fantasies, going down on his buddies and falling for the only openly gay student on campus means he just might be queer.

We spoke to Derek, who plays out and proud Cesar, about getting his kit off for the camera, sex scenes and the chemistry he had with his co-star Jacob Newton. He also shares his coming out story with us.

Tell me a little about Longhorns. What can we expect?
Oh man, you’re in for a ride with this movie! From wild frat humour, the bromances and friendships to that sweet little relationship that sneaks up on you. Writer/director David Lewis did an incredible job of making each and every character three-dimensional, so there’s a little bit of everything in this film for people.

What was it that first attracted you to the film?
I loved that it took the 80s coming of age sex comedy and added some cool gay characters.  Then there's the hair, the music!  I’ve also been the biggest fan of David Lewis’ work and jumped at the chance to work with him.  

"If I remember correctly, in Longhorns, I'm naked for like, 70 minutes of the movie and clothed for 5 minutes. I think that's right? I could be wrong though, but I guess you have to watch it to find out!"

Tell us a little about your character, César.
Cesar is bold and outspoken with a little bit of a chip on his shoulder. He’s the type of character who doesn’t conform to anyone or anything on campus, which sets him apart from everyone else. While he is thick skinned, sassy and scholastically focused, he’s also sweet and innocent at the same time.

So how similar are you to him?
A lot of my friends who have seen the movie tell me that I’m nothing like Cesar, personality-wise. I think I’m much more of a goof ball and mentally corrupt, to be honest. But while I hate to admit this, we both wear our hearts on our sleeves. Hear that gentlemen?! I’m the type that doesn’t consider keeping my feelings about someone hidden.  If I like you I will tell you and then do something about it.

I don’t want to spoil the movie in any way, but Cesar sets himself up for a broken heart. I so have been there, although I usually deal with rejection with some good ole’comfort food and a flick - but who doesn’t, right?

You have great chemistry with Jacob Newton. How did that happen - did you guys know each other already?
Thanks, I’m glad you liked us on film! Our personalities just clicked before the cameras were rolling. We didn’t know each other before being cast on the film, but we’re both from Los Angeles and actually drove up to San Francisco together. We really bonded over all kinds of things like music and getting our careers started as actors.

There’s a fair amount of bare flesh on display. How do you feel about getting your clothes off on film?
I’m a big fan of getting my clothes off on film!  No, seriously, I treat every film differently. The first film in which I had to do nudity was a short called Little Love, directed by my good friend Quentin Lee – but I co-wrote that so I can’t blame the writers. Longhorns was my first frontal, as opposed to Little Love where I only showed my backside and then some. I was actually amazingly comfortable with the material in both films. If I remember correctly, in Longhorns, I'm naked for like, 70 minutes of the movie and clothed for 5 minutes. I think that's right? I could be wrong though, but I guess you have to watch it to find out!

Do you mind that a lot of the guys watching the film will be lusting after you?
Why do you think I went into acting? I seriously doubt that will happen. If I can get at least one UK fan, I’ll die a happy guy!

"Hear that gentlemen?! I’m the type that doesn’t consider keeping my feelings about someone hidden. If I like you I will tell you and then do something about it."

How did you go about filming the sex scenes – what’s the process?
Sex scenes can be a lot of fun to watch, but actually shooting those scenes is anything but “sexy”. You have to understand that you’re taking direction from the director and then you realise that there are 10 pairs of eyes looking at you while you’re getting hot 'n' heavy on camera. It can all be intimidating.

I always ask the other actor in those scenes, "Are you okay?" or "Please let me know if I'm over-stepping my boundaries by kissing you there or doing this to you there." That's pretty much the process. But sometimes there’s a lot of spontaneity in sex scenes, as some actors tell me, “Derek, do whatever you think is best, I really don’t mind.”  The process of filming sex scenes is difficult for me because I happen to be extremely ticklish! I remember scenes where I would burst into laughter because my scene partner had an elbow brushing my side and I’d ruin a take.

There were a couple of times while filming Longhorns that we didn't hear "CUT!" from the director and we just kept going until someone would politely whisper, "Um, I'm pretty sure I heard 'cut' you guys..."

The PR for the films says, "Never has a film featured so many straight men doing so many gay things as beer is guzzled, pants are dropped and playful bed-hopping ensues". Do you think most guys are more fluid about their sexuality than they might like to admit?
In the movie it’s clear that Steve and Kevin have a lot of playful encounters, ranging from fellatio and happy endings to being porn-mates, but when it comes to emotional attraction like a simple kiss on the mouth, that’s a no-no!  I think men still have a long way to go. I don’t believe anyone is 100% of anything. I’ve had my fair share of relationships with women, but I haven’t been able to take it to the next level of emotional intimacy with them. Does that make me bi? 'Cause I know straight guys who share the same feeling. I’ll get back to you on that one.

So what would you say are the main themes of Longhorns?
One of the themes in Longhorns is self-acceptance. Kevin is happiest when he’s with Cesar, as much as he tries to avoid that fact. The second theme is the power of friendship, which you see throughout the movie. You have Cesar and his best friend Marsha who have this really close and trusting relationship. Then you have the crazy bromances between Kevin, Daniel and Steve.

"I’ve had my fair share of relationships with women, but I haven’t been able to take it to the next level of emotional intimacy with them. Does that make me bi?...I’ll get back to you on that one."

What was the most challenging scene for you in the film?
The most challenging scene was definitely by far the nude scene where Kevin is sketching me. It seemed to take forever because they shot it from every angle possible to get it right. I had to walk naked around set for a good two hours.

And what about one that you’re particularly proud of?
The phone confrontational scene with Kevin is a scene that gives me satisfaction as an actor. I have people coming up to me at film festivals telling they’ve emotionally been there. Feedback like that helps me as an actor because acting is how well you can tell a story.

You’re an attractive guy. What would you say is your best asset and if you could change one thing about your body, what would it be?
That’s really sweet of you! What’s my best asset? I think the answer is right there in the question. Would I change anything? I would ask one of the Eating Out boys (Aaron Milo) if they can spare me an ab. Just one. All I need is one and I’ll be content!

How different was it for you to come out as compared to Cesar?
I don’t know what Cesar’s coming out story would have been like, but it probably wasn’t a fun one, being that this is Texas 1982 and he’s Latino.  We don’t really see Cesar come out in the film, but we do see him dealing with the aftermath of being, like, the only out person on campus.

For me, it was difficult. I knew I was gay in high school, but I repressed all those feelings and thoughts, because I didn’t want to be ridiculed or bullied. I was fairly popular and the captain of the swim team. I didn’t have the support system at home or at school to do so. When I think about it now, the kids who are “out” in school are really the community’s unsung heroes.

I came out right after high school in 2001. I believe my mother began piecing things together and she figured out that I was gay - girls stopped calling the house, I’d only talk about my best friend who was a guy,  I’d come home really late. You know, that kind of stuff.

It became an inquisition that later turned into an intervention. All my aunts and uncles would take turns asking me very peculiar questions like, “Well, how do you know you’re gay? Have you had, you know, gay-man sex?”  I’d answer, “No”. They continued with, “Well, how do you know then! As long as you think you’re gay but have not acted on it, then you’re still in good standing with God!”

My parents took my coming out really hard, to the point where they kicked me out of their house. It’s like here I am fresh out of high school, the only thing to my name was a 1989 Toyota Celica and that soon became my new home for a while. Since then I’ve repaired my relationship with my parents. They’ve been very supportive of my decisions with relationships and career choices, so I’m thankful I have them back in my life.

"I always ask the other actor in those scenes, 'Are you okay?' or 'Please let me know if I'm over-stepping my boundaries by kissing you there or doing this to you there'."

Can you remember your first date – where did you go and did you kiss later that night?!
Oh, god, with which guy? (Just kidding!)

I’ll have to omit actual names to protect the “innocent!”  Oh, god, my first date was with this girl back in high school, really cute. I know you want to hear my first dating story with a guy, but in my defence, this girl was a total “top”. I believe I took her out to some hole in the wall Mexican restaurant in Van Nuys (my hometown), which I thought was the perfect place for a first date. I was extremely nervous.

By the time we finished our dessert, we got the check from the waiter and I searched for my wallet, which was nowhere to be found! In the end, I was forced to ask her to pick up the tab, which she couldn’t because she wasn’t carrying any cash herself. After 30 minutes of wondering what to do, I did the unmentionable and called my mum to bail us out of the situation. Mum came to the rescue. I dropped off my date and, no, she didn’t kiss me  - or talk to me for the rest of the year.

So what comes first for you – sex or love?
When I’m searching for love I usually end up with just sex and when I’m looking for sex I usually end up with love!

And finally, what’s next for Derek Villanueva?
Since Longhorns wrapped I’ve been working on my passion project that I’m writing and producing titled Fabulous High. Check out the promo! (Points for those of you who can spot me in this series). Here's the YouTube Link:  www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tw0s8Tbdt9E. You can subscribe to our YouTube channel for more updates on the show - FabulousHighSeries.

Click for our verdict and queer ratings, as well as the synopsis and a gallery.

Longhorns [2011]
Studio: TLA Releasing
Released: 21 November 2011
ASIN: B005EYJV3Y

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Photos of Derek Villanueva © Athena Ren