Billy Porter To Direct First Movie ‘What If?’, A Coming Of Age Tale
Billy Porter will make his feature directorial debut with the coming-of-age story “What If?” from a screenplay by Alvaro García Lecuona for MGM’s newly relaunched Orion Pictures.
The story centres 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, as ‘Variety’ reports.
The film will be produced by Christine Vachon and David Hinojosa on behalf of Killer Films (“First Reformed”) along with Andrew Lauren and D.J. Gugenheim on behalf of Andrew Lauren Productions (“The Spectacular Now”). The project marks the first film under MGM and Killer Films recently announced first-look deal.
“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. “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.”
Veteran executive Alana Mayo who was hired as president of the Orion Pictures label 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.”
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