{"id":1450025,"date":"2025-09-05T03:42:50","date_gmt":"2025-09-05T02:42:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gaytimes.com\/?p=1450025"},"modified":"2025-09-05T10:11:30","modified_gmt":"2025-09-05T09:11:30","slug":"start-your-engines-rupaul-to-star-in-new-feature-film-set-in-the-drag-race-universe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gaytimes.com\/drag\/start-your-engines-rupaul-to-star-in-new-feature-film-set-in-the-drag-race-universe\/","title":{"rendered":"Start your engines! RuPaul to star in new feature film set in the Drag Race universe"},"content":{"rendered":"

RuPaul and his beloved <\/span>Drag Race<\/span><\/em> universe are heading to the silver screen.<\/span><\/p>\n

Since its debut in 2009, the popular reality TV franchise has ruled the pop culture sphere with its incredible drag talent, sickening runways, and hilarious maxi-challenges.<\/span><\/p>\n

Over the course of 16 years, <\/span>Drag Race <\/span><\/em>has produced 17 mainstay seasons, numerous spinoffs \u2013 including <\/span>All Stars<\/span><\/em> and <\/span>Secret Celebrity Drag Race<\/span><\/em> \u2013 and various international iterations.<\/span><\/p>\n

Now, the long-running franchise will be expanding its reach into the movie industry. <\/span><\/p>\n

On 4 September, it was announced that RuPaul would be starring in an action comedy feature film set in the <\/span>Drag Race <\/span><\/em>universe. <\/span><\/p>\n

According to<\/span> Variety<\/span><\/a>, <\/span><\/em>the untitled project will follow Tess and DeeDee, two best friends and train stewardesses who leave their “dreary shifts on the Stank Rail” to work on the Glamazonian Express.<\/span><\/p>\n

The official logline adds: “When a catastrophic ‘Stromganza’ threatens to derail the high-speed train and crash it into Los Angeles, the duo in coach must join forces with the snobby first class attendants, and President Gagwell (RuPaul) to save the day.”
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Hairspray <\/span><\/em>filmmaker Adam Shankman has been tapped to direct, with Connor Wright & Christina Friel writing the script. <\/span><\/p>\n

Naturally, the production company behind the <\/span>Drag Race<\/span><\/em> franchise, World of Wonder, will be producing the film alongside Bleecker Street. RuPaul, Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato, Tom Campbell and Shankman have also signed on as producers.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lastly, production is scheduled to start this fall in Los Angeles, California.<\/span><\/p>\n

In a statement, RuPaul expressed his excitement for the film and his fierce new role: “President Judy Gagwell is the part I was born to play. Finally, a role I can sink my dentures into.” <\/span><\/p>\n

Shankman echoed similar sentiments in his own statement, revealing that he “couldn’t resist” being part of the project.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

“I’ve been friends with RuPaul for 30 years and in that time I’ve watched him and the folks at World of Wonder help change culture writ large with Drag Race<\/em>,” he said. <\/span><\/p>\n

“When they asked me to come aboard this hilarious and truly unhinged project, in time so desperate for escapist entertainment and laughter, I couldn’t resist.” <\/span><\/p>\n

Bailey and Barbato added: “Drag queens in charge of America’s first-ever hyperspeed, transcontinental, non-denominational bullet train. What could possibly go wrong? <\/span><\/p>\n

“What the world needs now is a disaster movie so twisted it will blow your mind. We are delighted to welcome Bleecker Street and everyone aboard the most bonkers train in cinematic history.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Fortunately, we won’t have to wait too long for <\/span>Drag Race’s <\/span><\/em>theatrical debut, which is currently scheduled to hit theatres in 2026.<\/span><\/p>\n

Stay tuned for more information. <\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

RuPaul and his beloved Drag Race universe are heading to the silver screen. Since its debut in 2009, the popular reality TV franchise has ruled the pop culture sphere with\u2026<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7093,"featured_media":753833,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[205,557,658],"tags":[636,536,2288],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nStart your engines! 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