Actor Samuel L. Jackson had no clue his new character in the upcoming movie adaptation of Stephen King's Cell is gay.

The Pulp Fiction icon will reteam with his 1408 co-star John Cusack to bring the apocalyptic thriller, about a virus spread via a cell phone pulse, to the big screen, but Jackson was caught off-guard when questioned about playing fictional homosexual engineer and former soldier Tom MCCourt.

Speaking to New York Post columnist Cindy Adams, he says, "I have no idea. I haven't read the book. Is that character gay in the book?"

It is not yet known if director Tod Williams will keep the character true to the novel, but if he does, it will be Jackson's first time portraying a gay man.

The film is due to begin production in January (14).