Billy Porter IS James Baldwin

Too fat for the role.

I think this is good casting!! But insufferable, hell yes!

“As a Black queer man on this planet with relative consciousness, I find myself, like James Baldwin said, ‘in a rage all the time’,” Porter said in a statement. “I am because James was. I stand on James Baldwin’s shoulders, and I intend to expand his legacy for generations to come,” Porter said in a statement.

Fucking hell he is going to butcher this six ways to Sunday. I am because James was.....how profound.

It will be fascinating to see if Porter can channel Baldwin's stillness and quiet rage instead of his own in-your-face aggression.

Maybe he'll learn how effective that can be.

I think he'll do well in the role and no one is forcing me to pay attention to what he gets up to off screen, so I'll look forward to the film.

Fuckkkkk I love Baldwin and cannot stand Porter, this is going to be a nightmare

A person with absolutely no dignity is supposed to be enacting an American hero who had great dignity, even in righteous anger?

It will be a major "stretch."

Will we soon be seeing “Academy Award Nominated Actor” next to Billy Porter’s name?

WHO?

[quote] Will we soon be seeing “Academy Award Nominated Actor” next to Billy Porter’s name?

Probably.

Bow down, bitches...BOW DOWN!

The very first theatre show I designed the costumes for, was a grad student thesis on the life & career of James Baldwin. He was quite a bit older than me, and had actually met Baldwin in the early1980s. It was a wonderful show. This will not be..

[quote] "WHO?"

Billy Porter, R9. He's of little to no consequence whatsoever. Just ignore him.

It's interesting that it took Billy all this time to realize he could not spend the rest of his life dining out on wearing extravagant dresses on the red carpet.

I doubt he can play this part, but it will be curious to see what happens. I would much rather a better actor had been given this role, even if he were not gay.

[quote] I would much rather a better actor had been given this role, even if he were not gay.

(except he's about a foot too tall...)

Not a terrible choice, but I wish it was someone else. I'm not someone who think "the actor who physically looks most like the subject" is always the best choice. I don't even need the actor to look THAT much like the subject in some circumstances. We'll see what Billy does with it; hopefully something good.

I’m looking forward to it.

[quote] It will be fascinating to see if Porter can channel Baldwin's stillness and quiet rage instead of his own in-your-face aggression.

Let me save you some time. He can't. Billy Porter cannot act for shit. He's one of the worst actors working today. All he can do is screech YAAAASS KWEEN and play dress up. He couldn't even handle a nothing role on AHS that was tailor made to his "strengths" without sucking from space.

Baldwin is on my Mt Rushmore of 20th century writers. So I will be watching.

But man do I find Porter insufferably annoying.

[quote]“I am because James was. I stand on James Baldwin’s shoulders"

Get off my shoulders, bitch. You weigh a ton.

[quote] “I am because James was. I stand on James Baldwin’s shoulders"

No, you are because of the tranny craze. No one was looking for you before you started dressing in women's clothes.

Chris Chalk (Paul Drake on the HBO "Perry Mason") is also playing James Baldwin in season 2 of "Feud." Does Ryan Murphy not like Billy anymore?

I'm assuming since Baldwin is a black, gay icon, that the actor had to be gay. Just for kicks thinking of who else it could have been. Coleman Domingo which has already been said. Jeremy Pope is a good actor and much "quieter" presence than Porter. Griffin Matthews?

Buckwheat would have been better than Billy Porter, for christ's sake.

Buckwheat is unavailable.

How about Farina?

This could be more problematic than Billy's acting: "He will also co-write the untitled movie with Dan McCabe, which will be adapted from the 1994 book 'James Baldwin: A Biography' by David Leeming."

Starina needs to take some time off. He’s the poster child for over-exposed. Also, he doesn’t possess the gravitas to play Baldwin.

[Quote] I stand on James Baldwin’s shoulders, and I intend to expand his legacy for generations to come.

I’m doing just fine, thanks.

I object - courteously.

Lord, and we thought that Whitney movie was bad...

Chalk is ten times the actor Porter is.

Stymie for James Baldwin!

Billy Porter did the thing

Mizz Porter is working hard to get that Oscar and become an EGOT by any means necessary!

Does anyone have a PEGGOTS- adding People's Choice Award, Golden Globe, and SAG?

I don't think James Baldwin would've liked Billy Porter.

James was too erudite a figure for the OTT Billy

He must be playing James Baldwin near the END of his life, as Billy is 53 and James was 63 when he passed...

Billy would be a good Andre Leon Talley maybe but Baldwin....nah

That’s too bad, but whatever. Films are blah today anyway.

Hi billy!

She is a fucking mess. I've been dealing with her drama for years. Yes Billy "her" cause you are a menopausal woman since at least 2011. Does he really have any fans? I doubt it. "Hey let's all go see the latest Billy Porter project! I Can't wait!" Barf!

She is a fucking mess. I've been dealing with her drama for years. Yes Billy "her" cause you are a menopausal woman since at least 2011. Does he really have any fans? I doubt it. "Hey let's all go see the latest Billy Porter project! I Can't wait!" Barf!

Oh girl. Oh. Girl.

I did like him as Pray Tell for the most part.

I suppose Andre Braugher and Courtney B Vance are both too old, but I’d have preferred to see either one of them tackle this.

They're straight. There would be an online meltdown if they cast a straight actor.

R46 Indeed. real actors.

Horrible, horrible casting.

Eh, the project can still fall apart. We can only hope.

Without even looking at the article, I knew this was going to be a Billy Porter Production. And, he's co-writing it, too!! Ugh.

I thought the pic at the top of the article was Chicago's new mayor, Brandon Johnson. Porter is getting old and desperate...er, oldER and MORE desperate, I guess.

Porter is only an Oscar away from an EGOT? If he gets one, that will probably be the last thing to happen before the Earth explodes.

He's the wrong body type and he's a frivolous, shallow C-list talent as an actor. What a terrible idea. Just because he's black and gay does not qualify him. It's an insult to Baldwin to have this self-righteous queen represent him. Of course, it's just a vanity project.

This will end in tears.

For me.

What an insult to James Baldwin.

Why can't a white actor be cast in the role?

News Flashes:

1) James Baldwin was insufferable, socially.

2) Billy Porter is physically a good choice and knows how to portray someone insufferable.

This might be OK.

[quote]He's going to be as insufferable as Jamie Lee.

What is with this hatred of JLC here? I see it no where else in gay spaces.

Billy Porter projects stupidity. He has dumb mean cow eyes. James Baldwin was one of the most brilliant minds this country's ever seen. I'm aghast.

R57, in what way was Baldwin a difficult person? I’m curious.

[quote] What is with this hatred of JLC here? I see it no where else in gay spaces.

We have better bullshit detectors.

James Baldwin was not difficult. He could be insufferable because he was pretentious and put on. (As is Billy Porter.) He was condescending and grand monsieur to many. He was filled with contradictions, for example he loved white guys but was a black activist and very much a artist and intellectual about blackness.

I'm not knocking James Baldwin. I like his work.

I was suggesting that Billy Porter might be willing to lay into Baldwin's performative shtick, which can be off putting.

If the movie's tone is that Baldwin is a sacred untouchable cow, because no negative black stereotypes, and the need for treacle and dumbsplaining, it will be a bore. Baldwin himself wouldn't like that.

I'm not a huge fan of Porter but at least Porter is someone we know can go OUT THERE and provoke. His character and first season performance in Pose was original and very interesting to watch, and all about being grand amidst struggle.

Speaking of grandees, he's a wonderful conversation.

oops here is

Gore Vidal once said about James Baldwin (who he knew) that the only thing people will remember about Baldwin was his essays and that Baldwin's novels were too "Hollywood." Truman Capote said something similar that he became a novelist because he was broke, but it will be his essays made him a great literary figure.

*but it was his essays that made him a great literary figure

So much hate for Billy Porter on DL. I don’t think responses on this site are typical. It happens with many well known successful gay actors. Jealousy?

You see, I think Billy could perform Baldwin's characteristic speech and outrageous mannerisms in that conversation with the super grand Dr. Prof. Maya Miss Calypso Angelou, National Poetesse Laureate. So as I said, this movie could not suck if Billy goes there.

Yeah people only pay attention to Billy's thirsty fame whoring and not his artistic side.

[quote] Will we soon be seeing “Academy Award Nominated Actor” next to Billy Porter’s name?

Possibly even "Golden Globe Winner."

[quote] He's the wrong body type and he's a frivolous, shallow C-list talent as an actor.

You a lie! Baldwin was petite and these days Porter is a mere sylph of a girl -- wearing size 0 couture and such.

[quote] Yeah people only pay attention to Billy's thirsty fame whoring and not his artistic side.

Darling, when he gets one, I'm sure we'll all stand and applaud.

More like Lame Baldwin, am I right?

This will - like Nicole Kidman’s Grace Kelly movie - go straight to Lifetime.

[quote] Why can't a white actor be cast in the role?

Because it's never been about "inclusion" or "color-blind casting". It's been about yet more racism. Oh, and hypocrisy. Lots of that.

I liked Baldwin’s novels. ANOTHER COUNTRY and JUST ABOVE MY HEAD were both good reads. Nothing Hollywood about them. Not to me, anyway.

R69, shush, or he'll try to play Angelou next!

R78 BOTH in the same movie!

[quote]In her latest quest for an Oscar, BP is to play James Baldwin.[/quote] [quote]He’s going to be as insufferable as Jamie Lee.[/quote]

Oh, you massively underestimate how insufferable Porter can be when he gets in a lather.

[quote] They’re straight. There would be an online meltdown if they cast a straight actor.[/quote]

I’d think Braugher’s work on Brooklyn 99 might buy him a pass on that issue. I sure don’t recall hearing much outrage when he was knocking it out of the park playing a dignified, prominent gay role model on network TV every week.

Braugher was brilliant on Brooklyn 99. But then, he's pretty much brilliant in everything, so no surprise.

Yup, Braugher can do drama and comedy equally well.

Braugher is such a striking man. I saw him here in Toronto once in a store with his kids. He would have been great as Baldwin.

Porter will play him too ham-fisted.

Why not Denzel?

Braugher looks more like Baldwin, too, than Porter.

LipstickAlley doesn't like that Porter will play Baldwin. They said Baldwin "wasn't a sissy" but a dignified gay man. I swear, LSA and DL have more in common than they like to admit.

[quote]Why not Denzel?

Because it's a vanity project for Porter.

I will never forgive Ryan Murphy for this man

Billy ain't nearly butch enough to play James. Sorry, but it's true. Plus - their energy is different: Billy is bitter and entitled (like Jada, but worse). James was dignified, eloquent, and intellectual - and fuckin' righteous. Billy's not self-aware enough to see what a fool he is.

I think this photo kinda exemplifies some of R88's comments

James Baldwin wasn't queer. He was gay.

Baldwin wasn't butch either.

She will fucking eat your soul if you don't see this movie!

EGOT means nothing now. Keep striving for these awards that peaked in relevancy in the 90s.

As much as I like Baldwin and dislike Porter, I have to say he is to pretty for the part. Baldwin was a toad.

Billy is no beauty queen, either, with his FAS face.

[quote]Why can't a white actor be cast in the role?

I'm available!

[quote]Why not Denzel?

Denzel doesn't do gay.

Denzel is way too old to play James Baldwin.

R98 Cast his son, Boring Washington.

R94 right, he was one of America's great intellectuals but boy was he UGLY

His writing made up for his lack of physical beauty.

In a dress?

But Baldwin got hot A Streetcar Named Desire/On The Waterfront era Marlon Brando to fuck him.

Baldwin wasn't a beauty, but he sure pulled some hot dick back in the day.

[quote]Baldwin was a toad.

Is Whoopi Goldberg available?

It really ought to be me

[quote] I intend to exploit his legacy for generations to come

Fixed it, Miss Porter

[quote] I will never forgive Ryan Murphy for this man

Porter was around eons before Miss Murphy decided to Pose.

Don Cheadle or Glenn Plummer would have been ideal, but they are older now and it probably wouldn't work.

Too tall, not gay and not even American...

But Adrian Lester would be an amazing choice as well.

Glenn Plummer? Lol. I'm laughing at the randomness of the reference. He was all over in the 80s and 90s. I'm trying to think of middle-aged, somewhat toady, slender, black actors. Even better if gay, but not required. British, American, whatever. There's got to be someone in theater or a random character actor.

LaKeith Stanfield? He could probably pull it off, but he's straight (not that I care) and he made some anti-Semetic statements at one point.

The actor that's set to play Baldwin in the upcoming Feud would've been a bit choice.

*better

On DL, R61?!? Laughable. This is troll central, 24/7.

But you're well aware of that, no doubt.

[quote] middle-aged, somewhat toady, slender, black actors

Jeffrey Wright is too light-skinned and good-looking to play Baldwin. Same with LaKeith.

No one really looks like Baldwin. I'd be more concerned with the quality of the acting than getting someone who looks as close as possible to Baldwin. No one is going to be that close.

Well, Diana Ross bore little resemblance to Billie Holiday, but she pulled it off, sorta.

[quote] Diana Ross bore little resemblance to Billie Holiday, but she pulled it off

LMAOOOOOOOO

About as much as Zoe Saldana pulled off Nina Simone....which is to say NOT A DAMN BIT

As someone said upthread, Colman Domingo would have been great casting. He's really handsome (and sexy) though so that could have detracted from an authentic portrayal of Baldwin.

He is already an insufferable bitch .

Bitch needs to remake the seventies classic “Mahogany.”

Bitch needs to be remaking Pam Grier movies.

Is Billy going to be playing James with or without a dress on? Seriously, I suspect that James Baldwin might be turning over in his grave.

I was thinking of maybe Chris Rock but he's not really a dramatic actor.

For your consideration . . .

Chukwudi Iwuji. Nigerian born, England/US educated. Seen on the Brit series The Split. Talent being wasted on sci-fi/superhero films/franchises. Looks a bit like Baldwin, especially the bug eyes. Straight (married), but he played a gay head of the law firm on The Split. Unlike Porter, et al, Iwuji can act.

Did he get too fat to fit into any of his dresses?

How much wood would Chukwudi chuck, if Chukwudi could chuck, would chuck wudi?

"James Baldwin was insufferable, socially. Billy Porter is physically a good choice and knows how to portray someone insufferable."

Insufferable is ok, but Baldwin was also intelligent. He was respected as an author because of the quality of his work long before this woke idiocy when hypocrite liberals praise mediocre or even less than mediocre blacks and anyone that disagrees and tells the truth is a racist.

I don't know, perhaps Billy is a good actor, so he can portray a brilliant mind, though he does not seem to be the sharpes knife in the drawer.

Nice casting, R126.

[quote]Baldwin was also intelligent. He was respected as an author because of the quality of his work long before this woke idiocy when hypocrite liberals praise mediocre or even less than mediocre blacks and anyone that disagrees and tells the truth is a racist.

Ah, but R129, you ARE a racist. I just read some of your other posts in other threads. You don't like black people and actually think we would be so much better off if we'd only vote for the GOP. Blocked.

[quote] Gore Vidal once said about James Baldwin (who he knew) that the only thing people will remember about Baldwin was his essays and that Baldwin's novels were too "Hollywood." Truman Capote said something similar that he became a novelist because he was broke, but it will be his essays made him a great literary figure.

I'm a tenured college English lit professor who teaches twentieth century fiction.

Baldwin's novels and essays have both aged much better than Capote's and Vidal's, and are taught far more often.

Baldwin, Capote and Vidal.

LOVED cock!

[quote] Baldwin's novels and essays have both aged much better than Capote's and Vidal's, and are taught far more often.

I agree. More people are aware of "Giovanni's Room" and "Another Country" than "The City and the Pillar" and "Other Voices, Other Rooms."

Billy would be more suited to a Little Richard biopic

[quote] Billy would be more suited to a Little Richard biopic

I actually agree with this, he would've been pitch-perfect playing Little Richard. Baldwin is way out of his scope.

I don't think he would have been good as Little Richard either. Yes, he could do the flamboyance and panache and his persona seems to be a better match. But he could never revert into the role, never give himself over to the character. It would be like a drag night where Billy is playing Little Richard.

Whilst I'm personally interested to see this film I really don't think it will have very much appeal.

This will never make it out of development. If the pitch had been halfway decent then they wouldn't be producing with Byron Allen's production company, which has hardly produced any theatrical content, only acquired it.

I just started watching The Diplomat on Netflix and this guy - Ato Essandoh - is in it. He could work as Baldwin. Long face, slim, buggy eyes. Not super well known, which I think is good when trying to portray a well-known person like Baldwin.

I know. Do it like that post-mod Bob Dylan flick. Different genders and races all playing Baldwin. Glenn Close, Henry Golding, Zendaya, Timo'tay. Sure to be a hit with black intellectuals!