Billy Porter, known for his acclaimed performance in the TV series Pose and his Tony Award-winning performance in Kinky Boots, is set to write and star in a new biopic celebrating the life and legacy of James Baldwin. The biopic will be produced by Byron Allen’s Allen Media Group Motion Pictures and will be based on the 1994 book James Baldwin: A Biography, by David Leeming.
Widely considered one of the best writers of all time, James Baldwin’s work explored themes of masculinity, sexuality, race, and class. He was a trailblazing novelist and activist who often addressed issues of social and political change such as the civil rights movement and the gay liberation movement. Baldwin’s protagonists were primarily gay and bisexual African-American men.
The forthcoming biopic, with Porter playing Baldwin, aims to amplify Baldwin’s legacy and contributions to the world. Porter has expressed his admiration for Baldwin many times throughout his career and even quoted Baldwin’s 1970 essay They Can’t Turn Back in his historic 2019 Emmy Awards acceptance speech.
The film will be a landmark moment for the LGBT community, as it will celebrate Baldwin’s life and legacy as a trailblazing queer African-American writer and activist. Porter’s involvement in the project adds to the significance of this moment, as he is a prominent LGBT figure who has made history with his achievements in the entertainment industry.
In addition to his groundbreaking work on Pose and Kinky Boots, Porter made his directorial debut in 2022 with the critically acclaimed romantic comedy Anything’s Possible. The film received praise for its trans and queer representation.
The James Baldwin biopic is a significant addition to the legacy of this iconic figure, and it is sure to inspire and educate audiences about the lasting impact of his work. With Porter’s involvement, the film is poised to make history once again by celebrating the intersection of African-American and LGBT identities.