‘Camp’ of HBO Max To Be Directed by Billy Porter

Camp—the YA novel by L.C. Rosen and a Lambda Award Finalist—has been picked up by HBO Max for a film adaptation, and Billy Porter has signed on to direct the film.

The book’s protagonist, a 16-year-old teen named Randy Kapplehoff, attends Camp Outland every summer, a space created specifically for queer youth. It’s there he falls for Hudson Aaronson-Lim, who only seems to like straight-appearing guys. Kapplehoff, a teen who loves nail polish and show tunes, attempts to act more straight in order to win Hudson’s favor, only to lose himself in the process.

Porter, known for his role in Pose, Cinderella, and Kinky Boots, is no stranger to the industry. In 2013, he won a Tony for his role in Kinky Boots, and in 2019, an Emmy for Lead Actor in Pose.

Camp is not his first time directing either, as Porter is currently signed on to work alongside Eva Reign—transgender actress and writer—in another coming-of-age rom com, What If?

While the cast for Camp has yet to be announced, those involved with the film are already excited to have Porter on board.

“Billy Porter, who I’ve been fortunate to know for more than 20 years, is the perfect director for this story, which is both hilariously funny and also quite moving,” says Dan Jinks in an interview with Deadline. “I wish a movie like this was around when I was growing up. I’m thrilled we get to make it now.”

Not only will Porter direct the movie, he’ll also be playing Mark, Camp Outland’s theatre director.

While the release date for Camp has yet to be made public, it goes without saying that we’re all looking forward to the film and to see how Porter directs the beloved YA novel onto the big screen.

Photo by Robbie Fimmano