“I remember in Law of Desire where I played a homosexual that people were more upset that I kissed a man on the mouth than I killed a man. It’s a very interesting approach to morality in our days, so you can see there is an incredible amount of hypocritical judgment over those things.”– Antonio Banderas talks about playing gay.

Antonio Banderas had a big success helming the revival of Nine on Broadway. Alas, he had the bad fortune to be in the running for “Lead Actor” at the Tonys against Harvey Fierstein’s star-turn in Hairspray. That’s neither here nor there – whatever that means. Although disappointed that he didn’t get the lead in the big screen adaptation (that honor fell to Daniel Day-Lewis), Banderas is eyeing a return to the Great White Way. And he’s picked out his next project – Zorba the Greek. “I want to go back to theatre because it is my main source. I’m more a theatre actor than a film actor.” He says this production should hit Broadway within the year.

It’s official – Hugh Jackman and Daniel Craig will join forces for A Steady Rain on Broadway, starting Thursday, Sept. 10. Of course, we told you weeks ago that the twosome would appear in this 90-minute, two-person play that follows the lives of a pair of Chicago cops. My hunch is there won’t be any full-frontal nudity (I’d even take full-backal). Advance tickets have been made available to American Express cardholders, and already a record $3 million has been raised. Something tells me that the strictly limited 12-week run will sell out quickly.

Justin Timberlake is the latest person to be linked to the proposed Guy Ritchie big screen remake of Guys and Dolls. The auteur has already secured the services of his muse, Jason Statham. Rumor has it Guy’s main guy is eyeing the role of “Sky Masterson,” while Jason would take on “Nathan Detroit.” Interestingly enough, Justin’s alleged gal pal Jessica Biel will be appearing in a stage version of the show at the Hollywood Bowl, playing the role of “Sarah Brown.” Maybe they can rehearse together.

After weeks of negotiations and speculations, Neil Patrick Harris has officially been named host of the upcoming Primetime Emmy Awards. It was his stellar performance as host of the Tonys that clinched the deal – that and the fact that the Emmys will be broadcast on CBS, the same network that airs “How I Met Your Mother” (and, incidentally, the network of the Tony Awards). Far more impressive is that NPH will also act as one of the producers of the show. And, as we all know, that’s where the real power is.

Last year, Harris hosted the Creative Arts Emmy Awards, which takes place a week before the Primetime Emmys. For the past two years, Kathy Griffin has won best reality show for “My Life On The D-List” at this event. This year, she’s not only nominated, she’ll be hosting! Yes, Griffin will host the “Shmemmys,” as she affectionately calls them. The show’s producer states, “She stole the show the last two years, so now we’re giving her the opportunity to officially hijack it. We’re all very, very excited. And just a little bit scared.” From hosting the gay porn awards to this in two years. Someone’s doing something right.

On the other side of the pond, John Barrowman enjoys a successful career as a television presenter, a stage actor, and as the lead in Torchwood. Now he’s getting hearts racing with hopes of getting to see his penis in the flesh. “There is nothing more liberating than taking all your clothes off and lying in the sun....on the beach! I’m not going to go to a supermarket or go shopping!” he gushes. He does take some precautions – SPF 45 or 50, to be precise. And doesn’t WET make lube with sun block?

One of the hottest guys around is Ryan Reynolds, and it looks like we’ll be seeing more and more of his fantastic physique in future flicks. In addition to Deadpool (the X-Men spin-off), he’s just signed to film The Green Lantern, beating out rumored front-runners Bradley Cooper and Justin Timberlake for the role. Reynolds in a tight-fitting superhero costume? To say nothing of shirtless screen time. This will be an embarrassment of riches – and I don’t embarrass easily!

Remember Ashley Parker Angel? He was the object of Lou Pearlman’s obsession in O-Town, had his own reality show, and last year starred in the Broadway production of Hairspray alongside my bon ami Jenifer Lewis. He’s been focusing more on acting and recently booked a film, which he’s shooting down in Fort Lauderdale. We don’t know many details, but he took a photo from the set showing off his buff bod in a pose he calls “doing my best Matthew McConaughey.” I’d actually say he’s more Ryan Philippe, but you can’t lose either way.

Another guy who always looks good shirtless is Mark Wahlberg. He’s bringing back flashes of his modeling days with some photos taken from the set of his new film, The Fighter. A shirtless (and somewhat bloody) Marky looks like he’s in peak form.

Every so often we see less-than-flattering candid shots of someone who looks incredible under professional conditions. This time around, it’s Channing Tatum. The one-time model has added a significant amount of mass to his formerly lean, mean, ripped physique. Only six weeks ago, we got paparazzi snaps of him bouncing shirtless through the streets of Hollywood trying to jog off some excess weight. That look is a far cry from how he looks in the August issue of GQ. These shirtless pics show one of the most muscular and defined guys around. While I’m told this shoot took place around the same time as the jogging pics, the professional pics show nary an ounce of fat on his frame. What’s the secret? We hear a week of fasting and some judicious Photoshopping helped.

Speaking of full-frontal, our “Ask Billy” question this week comes from Talvin in Dallas: “Thanks for keeping us posted on Robert Pattinson. His abs may not be real, but I still think he’s hot. Did you see ‘Little Ashes?’ He did a nude scene, but the camera stopped just at his pubes. Any chance you have the uncut version – so to speak? Or even stills.”

I have yet to be entranced by Pattinson’s looks or talent, but I’m happy to oblige. I’ve seen the footage in question, and I don’t believe anything was left on the cutting room floor.

When Banderas has played gay and is now going Greek, it’s definitely time to end yet another column. This week, we had more hot guys than we could shake a stick at. If you’ve got a question, drop me a note at billy@billymasters.com, and I promise to get back to you before I track down Tatum’s airbrusher! Until next time, remember, one man’s filth is another man’s bible.