Billy Porter as James Baldwin

[Piff Perkins]

Baldwin specifically stated he didn't want to be portrayed in film or television because he didn't view himself as the basis of art. He was also deeply skeptical of Hollywood and disliked the portrayals of black people in film. In short, no one should play him. And certainly not in what would likely be simple Oscar bait.

 

[RARI_Godwind]

They just casted the premier gay Black guy on the scene??

Like what do they have in common? And is Billy Porter even known for acting? Sht crazy breh gonna be twirling for 2 and a half hours. Lmao

 

[Rekkapryde]

This. Baldwin is so legendary...having BP play it is just...nah

Billy fukks this up being overly and it's gonna be bad for him. I hope he isn't that dumb to realize this.

 

[Vandelay]

Billy Porter in my eyes is too flamboyant to pull this off, and hear me out. I know its acting, but a lot of times persona in real life leads people to disbelieve an actor in a role. It actually happens quite often in Hollywood.

Lakeith would've been a better choice, but he might be too tall.

My vote would be for William Jackson Harper. He's short, facially similar, and has the diction and presence to pull it off.

these pics are wild lol

nikka look like a gay Kung Lao

 

[LevelUp]

Via a new interview:

https://www.theguardian.com/film/20...orter-on-race-recognition-and-the-middle-east

 

[Rhapscallion Démone]

They need to get Barry Jenkins to direct it. I have a love hate relationship with the works of Lee Daniel's but maybe he could write it. I liked how he handled Billie Holiday.

 

[Breh13]

What a travesty. A c00n on his fours doing stupid shyt again.

He's so desperate for acceptance.

 

[Black Magisterialness]

Baldwin specifically stated he didn't want to be portrayed in film or television because he didn't view himself as the basis of art. He was also deeply skeptical of Hollywood and disliked the portrayals of black people in film. In short, no one should play him. And certainly not in what would likely be simple Oscar bait.

This.

I'd much rather interpretations of his work like "I Am Not Your Negro".

 

[LevelUp]

What a travesty. A c00n on his fours doing stupid shyt again.

He's so desperate for acceptance.

Smh

 

[Formerly Black Trash]

Lol James Baldwin walked so people like Billy Porter can run. He is a great literary and orator and I know people don't like Billy Porter but he was great in Pose and is a serious actor. I'm sure he will treat the role with the respect and dignity it deserves.

This aged badly

 

[Justin Nitsuj]

James Baldwin was really pro black regardless of his sexuality. That's something Billy Porter's bytch ass can't pull off

 

[The Intergalactic Koala]

James Baldwin was a homosexual, but he still carried himself like a man. He was an honorable brother.
Casting somebody as flamboyant as Billy Porter to play James Baldwin is highly disrespectful to Mr. Baldwin's legacy.

Even the side comparison is like the Virgin vs The Chad meme

There's got to be a mainly gay dude that could pull off being Baldwin.

 

[CreepyMcCreeperson]

Billy Porter involved in writing is going to result in some scene where Baldwin in in makeup, or a dress behind the scenes. Unless he really did that, it’s unnecessary. This smells like he’s attempting to create Oscar bait, but doesn’t have the knowledge, or the ability to separate himself from the character to pull it off.

 

[Piff Perkins]

Those Billy Porter quotes are disgusting and I gotta give credit to certain people who I normally disagree with: even the “identity over everything” types are saying wait a minute, identity can’t be more important than everything and maybe this mentality is exploited by Hollywood/business/politics/etc to pander to us. This c00n really woke people up lmao.


Sexual identity, gender, race etc cannot just be a shield for bad behavior, bad thinking, closed mindedness. Ideas, thoughts and actions should be weighed by their merits. Not by who is saying or doing them. It’s clear Porter wants to exploit one of our greatest black thinkers/writers solely for awards and money. I hope people keep discussing the mentality that led to him thinking this way and why it’s brain poison. And why it’s been infecting discourse for the last decade. Being gay does not make you the good guy (or victim) automatically.

 

[Buckeye Fever]

Billy Porter is the worst type of gay, simply because they try to seduce and make passes at you.

I was at a gathering and it was late so everybody found a room to sleep in. There was a flamboyantly gay dude there. I ain't think shyt of it.

Fast forward to 3am, I'm in the room by myself with the TV and lights both off. The door opens, somebody walks in, closes the door and he goes "shhhhhhh". It was that damn gay dude. I asked what the fukk he was doin', and he said he didn't think I would be mad because he was just "going off my vibe" when we were all in the kitchen drinking and singing along to the music.