Ginger Minj, RuPaul and Jujubee star in the new disaster-comedy Stop! That! Train!, a film that promises to be the summer's funniest. Director Adam Shankman and the drag queen actors explain how they put a brilliantly madcap twist on Airplane! style parody.
A Film for Everyone
Shankman was clear from the start: "I was making a movie for everyone, not just Drag Race fans." The film, set in a parallel America where railways dominate, follows Tess (Ginger) and DeeDee (Jujubee) who become stewardesses on the luxury train line Glamazonian after being laid off from Stank Rail. Natural disaster, presidential politics, musical numbers, and Sarah Michelle Gellar ensue.
Behind the Scenes
The cast brought an easy yet chaotic chemistry to their performances. Ginger and Jujubee, who have honed their dynamic in numerous theatrical productions, adjusted to film under Shankman's direction. "Adam told us, you two are not in a comedy, everybody else can be but you're in a drama," Jujubee recalled. Shankman kept calling them "Lucy and Ethel" for the first few days as they learned the right level of performance.
Improvisation and Challenges
One memorable sequence is an extended fight scene between Ginger and Jujubee, performed 40 feet apart. "We were so tired that we were just doing things to make each other laugh," said Ginger. The first attempt received no reaction, but Shankman encouraged them to make it bigger. The result is a hilarious moment that showcases their comedic timing.
A Director Who Understands Drag
Brooke Lynn Hytes appreciated working with a director who understood drag: "We never had to worry about any of those little things you usually have to worry about when working with someone who's never worked with a drag queen." Shankman praised the actors' heroism, noting the discomfort of being in drag for 12 hours while delivering free, funny performances.
Controversy and Reception
The film faced controversy over alleged use of AI for special effects, which Shankman denied. Despite this, Stop! That! Train! was made on a small budget over 19 days and is a scrappy, human effort. Shankman expressed openness to working with drag queens on more serious projects in the future, calling the talent pool "an orchard where we could just pick the fruit."
Stop! That! Train! is now in US cinemas, with UK and Australia releases to follow.
