RuPaul to become president in ‘truly unhinged’ first Drag Race feature film

It’s a world we can only dream of: RuPaul is set to become the president, President Gagwell, in the first ever RuPaul’s Drag Race feature film.

The Drag Race host and historic, 14-time Emmy Award winner will star in an as-yet untitled action comedy film, set for theatrical release in 2026.

It will be helmed by Adam Shankman, who is best known for his work as the director of Hairspray and Disney’s Disenchanted. Connor Wright & Christina Friel, who co-wrote RuPaul’s 2021 Christmas comedy film The Bitch Who Stole Christmas, will reunite to write the screenplay.

A synopsis of the film reveals that RuPaul will play President Gagwell, who has to team up with a group of train stewardesses to save Los Angeles from a ‘Stormganza’.

It 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 attendants, and President Gagwell to save the day.”

It is billed as the first ever feature film to come from the RuPaul’s Drag Race universe.

The synopsis leaves a lot to still be revealed: who will play Tess and DeeDee? What is a ‘Stormganza? Did the person who named the poorer train company ‘Stank Rail’ get a pay rise?

In a statement, RuPaul said that President Judy Gagwell was the role he was “born to play”.

“Finally, a role I can sink my dentures into,” he joked.

Shankman said he “couldn’t resist” the opportunity to work with RuPaul on a “truly unhinged” movie.

“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,” he said.

“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.”

Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato, who co-founded Drag Race production company World of Wonder, described the upcoming film as a “twisted disaster movie”.

“Drag queens in charge of America’s first-ever hyperspeed, transcontinental, non-denominational bullet train. What could possibly go wrong?” they said.

“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 herstory.”

The untitled film will be produced in collaboration between World of Wonder and Bleecker Street, the latter of which is known for hits The Wedding Banquet, Hard Truths and Collette.

RuPaul’s upcoming feature was previously teased by Bailey and Barbato, who told Variety in June: “I guess it’s no secret, there’s an untitled Drag Race movie coming. It’s shooting in Los Angeles; we’re keeping it local.”

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