Pose star Billy Porter will be portraying author and civil rights orator James Baldwin in a forthcoming biopic.
The film, written by Porter and playwright Dan McCabe, will be based on David Leeming’s 1994 biography of the writer, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
“As a Black queer man on this planet with relative consciousness, I find myself, like James Baldwin said, ‘in a rage all the time,’” Porter said in a statement. “I am because James was. I stand on James Baldwin’s shoulders, and I intend to expand his legacy for generations to come.”
Baldwin has long served as an inspiration for Porter. The actor quoted the writer in his acceptance speech for his 2019 Emmy Award, which he won for his role as the emcee Pray Tell on Pose, making him the first openly gay Black man to win the category for lead actor in a drama series.
Alluding to that groundbreaking precedent, Porter quoted Baldwin, saying, “It took many years of vomiting up all the filth that I had been taught about myself and halfway believed before I could walk around this Earth like I had the right to be here.”
The Hollywood Reporter also noted that Porter is one award short of an EGOT — specifically, an Oscar. Since Porter is starring, co-writing, and co-producing the film via his production company, Incognegro Productions, it seems possible that he could be on track to join the hallowed ranks of EGOT winners.
Although Baldwin’s novels have been adapted into films, including the critically acclaimed If Beale Street Could Talk, Porter’s movie will be the first non-documentary feature to explore the life of the famous author himself. Byron Allen, CEO of co-producer Allen Media Group, said in a statement that Porter and McCabe’s “talent and commitment to amplifying James Baldwin’s legacy and contributions are invaluable and unmatched for this unique and epic story.”
It’s unclear when the film will come out, but we’re already hotly anticipating Porter’s inevitably stunning red carpet looks.
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