News

# RuPaul Becomes President in ‘Stop That Train!’ Action-Comedy – First Trailer Released

Bleecker Street and World of Wonder have unveiled the first trailer for “Stop That Train!,” an action-comedy directed by Adam Shankman starring RuPaul as President Gagwell, with “RuPaul’s Drag Race” alumni including Ginger Minj and Jujubee in supporting roles.

The Details

“Stop That Train!” represents a significant crossover moment for mainstream comedy cinema, bringing together the cultural phenomenon of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” with traditional action-comedy filmmaking. Directed by Adam Shankman—known for his work on “Hairspray” and “Cinderella”—the film positions RuPaul in an unexpectedly presidential role, suggesting a tongue-in-cheek narrative that weaponizes the drag icon’s larger-than-life persona for comedic effect.

The plot centers on a crisis scenario where President Gagwell must intervene to prevent a catastrophic train disaster, setting up classic action-comedy beats with a distinctly LGBTQ+-focused ensemble cast. The inclusion of “Drag Race” veterans Ginger Minj and Jujubee as train stewardesses Tess and DeeDee indicates that World of Wonder—the production company behind the beloved reality competition series—has leveraged its deep roster of talent to create an insider-friendly narrative that should resonate with the show’s devoted fanbase.

The collaboration between Bleecker Street, a distributor known for indie and prestige projects, and World of Wonder represents growing studio confidence in LGBTQ+-centered entertainment with mainstream appeal, following successes like “Pose” and recent documentary features.

What This Means for Cinema

“Stop That Train!” signals Hollywood’s evolving relationship with drag culture and LGBTQ+ representation in big-budget entertainment. Rather than relegating such projects to niche streaming platforms, major distributors are investing in theatrical releases that center queer performers in comedic lead roles—a meaningful shift from traditional casting hierarchies.

This project demonstrates how reality television franchises can translate into feature film properties while maintaining authentic community representation. By tapping directly from “Drag Race’s” talent pool, the filmmakers ensure cultural credibility while creating built-in audience enthusiasm. The involvement of Adam Shankman, who has successfully navigated mainstream and LGBTQ+-themed projects, suggests the film aims for both crossover appeal and thematic authenticity—a delicate balance that few productions achieve.

The film’s existence validates a broader industry trend: queer audiences represent substantial box office potential when given quality theatrical entertainment, encouraging more studios to develop comparable projects rather than defaulting to stereotypical representations or tokenistic casting.

What We Know So Far

  • RuPaul stars as President Gagwell, tasked with preventing a train disaster in the action-comedy
  • Adam Shankman directs, bringing his musical comedy expertise from “Hairspray” and “Cinderella”
  • Ginger Minj and Jujubee play best friends Tess and DeeDee, train stewardesses who drive the narrative
  • The film is produced by World of Wonder, the company behind “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” and distributed by Bleecker Street
  • A first trailer has been released, establishing the film’s comedic tone and premise

What’s Still Unknown

  • The exact theatrical release date and distribution strategy (limited vs. wide release)
  • Which other “Drag Race” alumni appear in supporting or ensemble