Billy Porter will make his directing debut with film What If? for Orion Pictures, according to Variety. The film is based on a screenplay by Alvaro García Lecuona.

What If? follows a high school senior who writes on social media about his crush on a trans girl. Social media commenters compel the senior to go forward with the relationship, resulting in a romance the two thought wasn’t possible.

Porter talked about the film in a statement.

“I’m thrilled to be a part of this new space in Hollywood for telling all types of stories from all types of people,” he said. “I am grateful to be in a position to usher some of these stories into the mainstream and I am humbled that heavy hitters like Christine Vachon and Alana Mayo have entrusted and empowered me in this insane time we all find ourselves in.”

The film is the first under Orion Pictures’ relaunch. The studio will now work with marginalized creators to tell diverse stories. Mayo, who is the new president of the studio, released a statement talking about Orion Studios’ excitement to work with Porter.

“We couldn’t be more excited to work with Bily Porter on his feature directing debut and are privileged that he, Alvaro and the producing team behind this special film have entrusted us with their vision for this beautiful, contemporary love story.”

“What If? is perfectly emblematic of the ambitions we have for the new Orion Pictures: To tell stories about the totality of the human experience,” she continued.

 

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