We love a good makeover, especially when it’s a modern take on a classic like this.
Last week we bagged a first look at Camella Cabello in the role of Cinderella for Amazon Prime’s upcoming adaptation of the mega-hit franchise. She looked fire and legit fit the vibe perfectly – check it out.
But to be honest – and no disrespect to Cinders – this is the role we’ve been most excited to see more of. Enter Billy Porter as Fab G, the reinvented genderless fairy godparent. That’s right, PARENT.
There has been various Cinderella adaptations over the years but for this Porter brings a 2021 update and makes history as the first man to play what, historically, has always been the Fairy Godmother role in the narrative.
Billy put this on his Twitter:
Say hello to Fab G! #Cinderella #MagicHasNoGender pic.twitter.com/1XMZn7fn08
— Billy Porter (@theebillyporter) May 15, 2021
Along with the hashtag #MagicHasNoGender (it sure does not!)
According to Entertainment Weekly, writer-director Kay Cannon specifically crafted the role around Porter, and the actor was instrumental in helping to shape how that would present on-screen, with a heavy emphasis on shedding gender stereotypes.
“Billy articulated the idea [that] magic has no gender,” Cannon explained in the interview.
Speaking about his take on the role Billy said in an interview with CBS:
“It hit me when I was on the set last week, how profound it is that I am playing the fairy godmother — they call it the Fab G. Magic has no gender” said the actor. “We are presenting this character as genderless — at least that’s how I’m playing it. And it’s really powerful.” Porter went on to say that he hoped to provide “a classic fairytale for a new generation”.
Prime say that the remake is set to be a “musically-driven bold new take on the traditional story you grew up with,” following “an ambitious young woman whose dreams are bigger than the world will allow.”
“But with the help of her Fab G, she is able to persevere and make her dreams come true.”
Also in the impressive cast you’ll find the like of Idina Menzel (who plays the evil step-mother which we are already LIVING for btw), James Corden (who also produced the movie), Missy Elliott, Pierce Brosnan, Minnie Driver, John Mulaney and Romesh Ranganathan. That’s a lotta star power.
The musical will include covers of classic pop songs from contemporary global artists as well as originals.
We’re pretty giddy about it from what we’ve seen so far! Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
Cinderella is expected to be released in September of this year exclusively on Amazon Prime.
Here’s a refresh of the original: