Neil Patrick Harris Talks Robotic Sex, Being In Drag And Life Post-'HIMYM'

Neil Patrick Harris has opened up on his new role in David Fincher's adaptation of the best-selling novel, Gone Girl. The How I Met Your Mother actor takes on the role of Desi Collings in the movie, alongside Rosamund Pike and Ben Affleck. In a recent interview with Out magazine, the openly gay actor described the experience of filming his sex scene with Pike.

Neil Patrick Harris Has Discussed His "Robotic" Sex Scene With Rosamund Pike In 'Gone Girl.'

Harris described director Fincher's meticulous approach to filming the intimate scene, though interestingly enjoyed methodical aspect to the scene. Instead of finding Fincher's highly structured directing style awkward or frustrating, Harris loved it. "We had to rehearse the sex scene with David, like every inch of it - 'Then you put your mouth on his d**k here, and then this number of thrusts, and then you ejaculate,' " recalls Harris.

"It was weird because we're technically breaking down the sex scene. He wanted it to be almost robotic, that we know exactly where we are, position-wise, where everything goes. And yet, through all of that, the whole 'I'm gay' element was never even thought about."

Rosamund Pike Plays Amy Dunne In 'Gone Girl.'

Harris continued to explain that what he did find disconcerting was the drag scenes in the Emmy-winning play, Hedwig and the Angry Itch, in which he plays a transgender glam rock singer. "Hedwig is bringing up a lot of super insecure things within me," revealed Harris. "I have never thought drag was intoxicating, I've never had a fun drunken Halloween in drag, never been in heels, really. I've lived my whole life being attracted by masculinity - it's why I like guys. I'm not a super effete person, and I have to turn into that, and in doing so it brings up a lot of homophobic insecurities within myself."

Harris Spoke About Been Daunted By Drag Scenes In 'Hedwig And The Angry Itch.'

Having starred as the titular child genius Doogie Howser in the nineties comedy of the same name, the 40 year-old actor has handled fame for his whole life. However, it was his starring role as the sexually promiscuous Barney in sitcom How I Met Your Mother that propelled him into the limelight for a new generation.

He was playing Barney Stinson when he came out as gay in 2006, however his announcement didn't have the cataclysmic effect on his career he'd been fearing. He was still the straight guy in HIMYM; he was still America's sweetheart. "I've found that a lot of girls have no issue with me being gay," he laughed. "They still want to marry me. And I love that."

[Pictured With Partner, David Burtka], Harris Had A Revelation About Ending 'HIMYM.'

As HIMYM winds to a finale, the actor is philosophical about one of his most career-defining roles: "I won't ever be able to play someone like Barney again because he's so unique, but we had over 200 episodes. And my exclusivity deal is done with Fox," he said, adding with a smile, "So finally I'll be able to do more porn."

Gone Girl will be released in the UK on the 3rd October.