Lee Daniels, Empire creator, confirms gay high-heeled superhero movie
Lee Daniels attends the 2018 Steinberg Playwright Awards at Lincoln Center Theater on December 3, 2018 in New York City. (Slaven Vlasic/Getty)
The creator of Empire Lee Daniels has confirmed his gay superhero film Superb**ch is in the works.
Earlier this year the Oscar-nominated director teased fans on Instagram with a prospective project alongside Instagram meme star @HeSoSouthEast.
Speaking at the TIME 100 summit, Daniels confirmed the movie, which will cast the high-heeled star who went viral after performing backflips in pink knee-length boots.
A movie starring a pink-booted gay superhero.
Daniels said at the summit: “It’s called Superb**ch, I found him on Instagram of all places. He does backflips and he has a cape and he does karate and, oh my God, he’s going to be a hero.”
“I’m not putting that much money behind it,” he said, but “a couple of million dollars for a gay superhero movie is pretty f***ing exciting!”
‘Dreams do come true’, says Lee Daniels
Earlier this year Daniels said: “Y’all remember maybe 10, 12 years ago I said my dream was to make a gay superhero film?
It’s previously been unclear how serious the idea was, but Daniels’ comments at the TIME 100 summit have confirmed the film is happening.
The meme star Daniels is working with has cultivated the gay superhero persona SuperB*tch, posting low-budget clips of himself beating up homophobes.
He added in an Instagram post: “Dreams really do come true!! I had the pleasure of meeting the one and only [Lee Daniels]. You’re an amazing man filled with great ideas. I can wait to work with you!”
The teaser came after Daniels uploaded a January 10 Instagram video calling out homophobia.
Director Lee Daniels attends BET Presents the American Black Film Festival Honors on February 17, 2017 in Beverly Hills, California. (Earl Gibson III/Getty)
He said: “I’m compelled to talk to my gay brothers and sisters, youth and adult, to tell you that it’s OK to be who you are, to stand firmly in your shoes and be exactly who you want to be.
“This past week my cousin was beat up for being gay and I am sick of hearing these stories.
“It’s the beginning of a new year and we need to do better. We need to continue to remember to love and to turn against the hate that we’re seeing out there. But we all need to fight that fight together.”
He added: “For all the people who are hurting, who are struggling, and who are trying to find some meaning in this life, I am here to say if you need a safe place or a ear to listen, then I’m here.
“I’m listening to what you’re saying and what you’re going through. I am standing up for you and will continue to fight for you.
“This is my mission and message to you for the beginning of 2019.”
