Empire creator Lee Daniels might be making a gay superhero film
Director Lee Daniels attends BET Presents the American Black Film Festival Honors on February 17, 2017 in Beverly Hills, California. (Earl Gibson III/Getty)
Empire creator Lee Daniels has hinted that a gay superhero film project could actually be happening.
The Oscar-nominated Precious director took to Instagram on Tuesday (January 15) to tease a prospective project alongside Instagram meme star @HeSoSouthEast.
Lee Daniels said: “Y’all remember maybe 10, 12 years ago I said my dream was to make a gay superhero film?
“Dreams do come true. And I found my superhero. America, world, get ready.”
Lee Daniels attends the 2018 Steinberg Playwright Awards at Lincoln Center Theater on December 3, 2018 in New York City. (Slaven Vlasic/Getty)
He added: “10 years ago folks thought I was crazy when I said I wanted to make a gay superhero flick…. it’s not my next one… but it’s in the pipeline!”
A video of Instagram user @HeSoSouthEast doing backflips in pink high heels went viral on the site in December 2018, attracting more than 600,000 views and thousands of comments.
The meme star 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!”
It’s unclear how serious Daniels is about the project, but the out filmmaker has championed LGBT+ storylines in TV shows Empire and Star.
Lee Daniels says its his mission to fight ‘for gay equality
The teaser came after Daniels uploaded a January 10 Instagram video calling out homophobia.
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.”
