Billy Porter is going to take on the life of James Baldwin in a new project from Byron Allen’s Allen Media Group.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Porter will play Baldwin and will also co-write the script with Dan McCabe, with the script based on James Baldwin: A Biography by David Leeming.
Porter will also co-produce with Allen Media Group through his company, Incognegro Productions with Incognegro Productions’ D.J. Gugenheim producing. Allen will executive produce with Carolyn Folks, Matthew Signer, Jennifer Lucas and Chris Charalambous.
Portraying Baldwin’s life might be the jewel in Porter’s resume, since The Hollywood Reporter states he is an Oscar away from becoming an EGOT. Porter said in a statement how he hopes to “expand” Baldwin’s legacy.
“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,” he said. “I stand on James Baldwin’s shoulders, and I intend to expand his legacy for generations to come.”
Allen said in a statement how the film will help keep Baldwin’s legacy alive.
“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,” Allen said.
