Michael Douglas, Matt Damon Begin HBO's Liberace Biopic

Two Hollywood heavies with respective penchants for many a masculine role have found softer sides to take on the larger-than-life life of the late Liberace.

Matt Damon's often taken roles demanding a certain rough inner grit, whether playing the combustible-but-brilliant Will Hunting or a certain off-the-rails walking, talking weapon by the name of Jason Bourne.

Likewise, Michael Douglas has gotten his hands dirty with a little manly scruff from "Romancing the Stone" through "The Ghost and the Darkness," to a certain commanding, stern presence in Oliver Stone's two "Wall Street" chapters.

That said, what range it will take for both to bring out the most important love affair of the late Liberace's life for HBO's "Behind the Candelabra" biopic. "Ocean's Eleven" and "Magic Mike" director Steven Soderbergh has the helm guiding Douglas' performance as the charismatic, flamboyant pianist who succumbed to AIDS in 1987.

Damon takes on Scott Thorson, Liberace's young lover who successfully sued him for palimony shortly before the entertainer died.

It's rare anymore to see Damon don a look far removed from his spare "The Bourne Identity" haircut, or Douglas dolled up in such a lofty coif. That couldn't be further from the greatest length to which either will be going for their art. Damon revealed to E! last year that he'll be collecting a smooch from Catherine Zeta-Jones's husband.

"It's scripted that there's more than one," the 41-year-old Oscar winner said. "I never thought I would get to kiss Michael Douglas."

Dreams do come true, Mr. Damon.

"Behind the Candelabra" is now shooting in Beverly Hills, and is set to air sometime in 2013.