Zackary Drucker will direct the upcoming biopic about Andy Warhol superstar Candy Darling starring Hari Nef. John Cameron Mitchell also joins the untitled film about the transgender icon as executive producer.
It was previously announced that Nef (“Barbie”) will star in the movie.
The film traces Darling’s childhood in Long Island through her years alongside underground icons Holly Woodlawn and Jackie Curtis in Warhol’s Factory scene, and her influence on musicians including Lou Reed, the Velvet Underground and Patti Smith. She was immortalized in popular songs including Reed’s “Walk on the Wild Side” and The Velvet Underground’s “Candy Says.”
Darling also starred in Warhol’s cult film “Women In Revolt” before she died of leukemia in 1974 at age 29.
“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. “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.”
Drucker’s 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.” She is a guest curator of the film program for the 2024 Whitney Biennial.
“Legendary trans icon Candy Darling has met her perfect creative collaborator in Zackary Drucker, an equally important cultural creator who I’ve admired and wanted to work with for many years,” Mitchell said. “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.”
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.”
Actress Sylvia Miles, Andy Warhol and Candy Darling in New York City in the early 1970s. (Photo by Tim Boxer/Getty Images)
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Mitchell is best known for writing and starring in the rock musical “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” and also wrote and directed the films “Shortbus,” “Rabbit Hole” and “How to Talk to Girls at Parties.” His TV credits include “The Sandman,” “Girls,” “Shrill,” “Mozart in the Jungle,” “Vinyl,” “The Good Fight,” “Yellowjackets,” “City on Fire” and “Joe Vs Carole,” in which he starred as Joe Exotic.
Christian D. Bruun, Katrina Wolfe and Louis Spiegler are producing, and Stephanie Kornick was also previously announced as screenwriter.
Drucker is represented by CAA. Mitchell is represented by CAA and Jodi Peikoff and Michael Mahan at Peikoff Mahan Law Office. Nef is repped by The Gersh Agency and Untitled.
