Billy Porter Will Portray Famous Author James Baldwin in Biopic
James Baldwin is arguably one of the most influential authors of the 20th century. Now, his story will be a film with Billy Porter.
The Tony and Emmy award winner Billy Porter will star as Baldwin in an upcoming biopic. The film will be an adaptation of the 1994 book James Baldwin: A Biography by David Leeming. Leeming was a close friend of Baldwin for decades. Even though it is not an autobiography, it tells a personal story. The adaptation of the book will be by Porter and screenwriter Dan McCabe. The production company making this film is Allen Media Group Motion Pictures. The film is currently in pre-production but should be an exciting project.
Billy Porter will star as author and civil rights activist James Baldwin in an upcoming biopic, which will be adapted from the 1994 book “James Baldwin: A Biography” by David Leeming. pic.twitter.com/LcavNHLDw0
— IndieWire (@IndieWire) April 12, 2023
Billy Porter is excited to take on this role of a lifetime. In a statement, Porter proclaimed, “As a Black queer man on this planet with relative consciousness, I find myself, like James Baldwin said, ‘in a rage all the time.’ I am because James was. I stand on James Baldwin’s shoulders, and I intend to expand his legacy for generations to come.”
It’s important to give gay actors the opportunity to play biopics for historical gay people. I’m not sure if Billy Porter was the best casting for this role but I’m willing to give him a chance. https://t.co/H2eGVsp3qK
— Taylor Goethe | Comms Open (@InspectorNerd) April 12, 2023
The production company is also looking forward to this movie coming to fruition. Byron Allen, the owner/namesake of the production company, expressed his joy. He stated, “We at Allen Media Group Motion Pictures are extremely passionate about sharing James Baldwin’s phenomenal story with the world. Billy Porter and Dan McCabe’s talent and commitment to amplifying James Baldwin’s legacy and contributions are invaluable and unmatched for this unique and epic story.”
So I’m glad that James Baldwin, a Black QUEER man (even though y’all try and erase that part) is being portrayed in a film. Not sure how I feel about Billy Porter playing him but I do feel like this is a film that is needed. pic.twitter.com/m2DUSMVj49
— Listen To Convos For The Culture On Spotify (@ItsMicahB) April 12, 2023
Baldwin’s story is certainly an interesting one. He has written many popular books, such as Go Tell It On the Mountain, Notes of a Native Son, Giovanni’s Room, and If Beale Street Could Talk. The last book became an Oscar-winning film in 2017. Baldwin was born in 1924 in Harlem. As a gay Black man living in New York City, James Baldwin’s many writings had themes of race, sexuality, class, and society. His books have been considered revolutionary and have paved the way for movements like the Civil Rights and the gay liberation movement. He died in 1987 at 63, after achieving a lot of success. He has inspired many authors and activists and continues to do so today.
“If we knew ourselves better, we would damage ourselves less.”
— Dr. Frank Leon Roberts (@DrFrankRoberts) April 11, 2023
– James Baldwin pic.twitter.com/uwvBEj3RyN
Porter has achieved fame through his captivating talents as an actor and a singer. He got a lot of attention for originating the role of Lola in the Broadway musical Kinky Boots. This performance earned him a Tony for Best Actor. He later starred in the drama series Pose, for which he received an Emmy. Porter then had two more nominations in subsequent seasons. Porter is also known for his attention-grabbing outfits, demonstrating his love for standing out. Porter is likely to do the part justice.
billy porter as james baldwin: https://t.co/FvZj8jPPZ0 pic.twitter.com/vq4YAo17jV
— Wendell (@RhodeToLove) April 12, 2023
Porter has been an admirer of Baldwin for a long time. When he won his Emmy in 2019, he quoted Baldwin in his acceptance speech. He exclaimed, “James Baldwin said, ‘[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 influence that Baldwin has had on Porter’s life demonstrates the impact that Baldwin has. It is also why this has become a passion project for Porter. The actor is currently working on many projects, so it may be a while before this film comes out or even starts filming. In the meantime, people can brush up on Baldwin’s readings and see why this could be an interesting film.
