Tyler Perry says if he were to do a biopic, it would be Little Richard starring Billy Porter
While doing promotions for his upcoming film, Mea Culpa, writer-director Tyler Perry spoke with Tim Gordon of thefilmgordon.com and when asked if he had an interest in doing a biopic, Perry stated that his dream subject would be Little Richard starring Tony Award, Grammy Award and Emmy Award winner Billy Porter.
“I just watched his doc, and I was floored,” said Perry. “His story would be incredible . . . Little Richard with Billy Porter playing him might be something that I’d be very interested in. You’re the first person I’ve ever said that to, I hadn’t said it to a soul.“
After further reflection, Perry stated, “It had to be somebody that spoke to me on so many levels, and I can relate to so much of his story, his struggle, his pain, the things he had to deal with coming from the South, it’s a really powerful story.“
The documentary Perry referred to was the 2023 film ‘Little Richard: I Am Everything.’ directed and produced by Lisa Cortés.
If Perry were to make his dream come true with Porter as the star, it would put Porter closer to achieving EGOT status should the film get critical acclaim and Porter gets an Oscar nod and wins.
Mea Culpa, starring Kelly Rowland and Trevante Rhodes, streams on Netflix beginning February 23.