Billy Porter (Pose, Like A Boss) is already an award-winning actor, but will now be able to add director to his resumé. He’s signed on to make his feature directorial debut with What If? No, not the similarly-titled MCU series in the works at Disney, but a coming-of-age story revolving around a high school student with a crush on a trans girl.
When the boy takes to the internet to ask what to do, he’s encouraged to pursue his feelings, which results in a burgeoning relationship that will shape and form their young lives forever. Alvaro García Lecuona, a bisexual and bigender screenwriter, has written the script, which made the GLAAD List, the list of best unproduced LGBTQ-inclusive screenplays.
The film will serve as the re-debut of the recently relaunched Orion Pictures. Alana Mayo, president of the studio, said in a statement:
“We couldn’t be more excited to work with Billy Porter on his feature directing debut and are privileged that he, Alvaro, and the producing team behind this special film have entrusted us with their vision for this beautiful, contemporary love story. ‘What If?’ is perfectly emblematic of the ambitions we have for the new Orion Pictures: to tell stories about the totality of the human experience”.
Porter added: “I’m thrilled to be part of this new space in Hollywood for telling all types of stories from all types of people. I am grateful to be in a position to usher some of these stories into the mainstream”.
Hollywood needs more positive portrayals of LGBTQ+ people after years of either using them as jokes or ignoring them completely. Hopefully What If?, along with the recent Love, Simon and Clea DuVall‘s upcoming Happiest Season, both queer romcoms, signals a real shift in Hollywood to make these stories – and all stories – more inclusive.
Outside of What If?, Porter will continue his role in Pose, which has a third season in the works, and he will also star in the upcoming Little Shop Of Horrors remake.
#Peace.Love.WhatIf
