Mar 26
A Biopic on Warhol Musse Candy Darling Is On Its Way
Emell Adolphus READ TIME: 2 MIN.
A biopic on Andy Warhol's transgender superstar and muse Candy Darling is officially on the way with Zackary Drucker in the director's chair and Hari Nef set to star.
As reported by Variety, the film will follow Darling's childhood, alongside art icons Holly Woodlawn and Jackie Curtis, to her transition into Warhol's Factory scene. The film will also trace her influence on Lou Reed, the Velvet Underground and Patti Smith, which was honored in Reed's "Walk on the Wild Side" and The Velvet Underground's "Candy Says."
"I've dedicated my life and career to amplifying the history of trans and queer icons, and their impact in shaping art and culture for everyone," Drucker said in a statement.
She added, "Candy Darling is at the top of this list. She was one of the first trans people I encountered as a young film cinephile, and her presence has continued to capture my imagination ever since. Candy's indelible impact as a fierce and glamorous silver screen goddess forged a path for trans people to exist in cinema. It is an absolute honor to direct Candy's life story."
Darling, who also starred in Warhol's cult film "Women In Revolt," died of leukemia in 1974 at age 29.
Signing to the project as executive producer, John Cameron Mitchell said Candy will have a "perfect creative collaborator" in Drucker.
"I'm beyond excited to support Zackary's boundless vision and creativity to create something all cinema should strive towards – bold, risk-taking, provocative work that inspires everyone," said Mitchell.
He added, "And Candy's legacy could not be in better hands with the glamor and nuance that Hari Nef effortlessly brings to her roles. This is an historic and trailblazing project, and I'm honored to be a part of it."
A guest curator for the 2024 Whitney Biennial, Drucker's body of work includes HBO's "The Stroll" and "The Lady and the Dale," Hulu's "Queenmaker: The Making of an It Girl" and Amazon's "Transparent."
Mitchell is best known for writing and starring in the rock musical "Hedwig and the Angry Inch."
Watch Candy Darling in a scene from "Women in Revolt":
