Bleecker Street has partnered with World of Wonder to acquire North American rights to an untitled action comedy from Adam Shankman to star RuPaul.
Dubbed as the first theatrical feature project from the RuPaul’s Drag Race universe, the story will follow best friends Tess and DeeDee, train stewardesses who trade their dreary shifts on the Stank Rail for the glitzy Glamazonian Express.
When a catastrophic “Stormganza” 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 passengers and President Gagwell (RuPaul), to save the day.
Principal photography is scheduled to begin this autumn in Los Angeles. World of Wonder will produce the feature and Connor Wright and Christina Friel co-wrote the screenplay.
Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato, Tom Campbell, RuPaul Charles, and Shankman serve as producers. Unapologetic Projects is an executive producer and financier on the project.
Bleecker Street plans to release the film theatrically nationwide in 2026. Miranda King and Avy Eschenasy negotiated the deal with Cinetic Media representing the filmmakers.
“We are so excited to be boarding this train,” said Kent Sanderson, CEO of Bleecker Street. “The world that World of Wonder has been building for years is so incredible, and Adam Shankman is a comedy legend; we are so honoured to be bringing this first, and wonderfully nuts, big screen experience to audiences nationwide.”
RuPaul said: “President Judy Gagwell is the part I was born to play. Finally, a role I can sink my dentures into.”
“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,” said Shankman, whose directing credits include Hairspray and Glee.“When they asked me to come aboard this hilarious and truly unhinged project, in a time so desperate for escapist entertainment and laughter, I couldn’t resist.”
“Drag queens in charge of America’s first-ever hyperspeed, transcontinental, non-denominational bullet train. What could possibly go wrong?” said World of Wonder co-founders Bailey and Barbato.
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