Billy Porter has already won over the nation with his own acting chops and now he’s ready to take his talents behind the camera, signing on to direct his first film, What If?
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The Emmy-winner is set to take to direct the film written by Alvaro Garcia Lecuona at MGM’s recently relaunched Orion Pictures. The project will be produced by Christine Vachon and David Hinojosa on behalf of Killer Films.
“I’m thrilled to be part of this new space in Hollywood for telling all types of stories from all types of people,” Porter said in a statement. “I am grateful to be in a position to usher some of these stories into the mainstream and I am humbled that heavy hitters like Christine Vachon and Alana Mayo have entrusted and empowered me in this insane time we all find ourselves in.”
According to reports, the story centers on a high school senior posting on social media about his crush on Kelsa, a trans girl at his school, resulting in the internet encouraging him to pursue the relationship. The two then navigate a senior year relationship that neither of them could have expected.
MGM relaunched Orion Films in August and put Mayo at the helm as president.
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“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,” she said in a statement.
“’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.”
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