Unveiling the Story Behind the Cult Classic: Vegas in Space
Get ready for an exciting journey into the world of cult cinema! The iconic 1991 Troma Films classic, Vegas in Space, is set to be brought to life in a new biopic directed by Peaches Christ, the drag persona of filmmaker Joshua Grannell. As anticipation builds for the film’s screening at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on July 11, we have exclusive insights into this groundbreaking project.
The biopic is inspired by Craig Seligman’s 2023 book, Who Does That Bitch Think She Is?, and features a script crafted by Grannell along with Michael Varrati, known for Netflix’s Christmas with You. The original Vegas in Space, directed by Phillip R. Ford, tells the outrageous tale of three male space travelers from Earth who undergo sex-change operations to solve a jewel heist on a planet inhabited solely by women. The film has become a beloved piece of queer cinema, despite the tragic loss of its star, legendary San Francisco drag queen Doris Fish, who passed away from AIDS complications just months before its premiere.
Reflecting on the film’s impact, Grannell shared, “I first discovered Vegas in Space as a teenager in Maryland, and it completely blew my mind. Doris Fish was a visionary—a drag trailblazer lightyears ahead of her time. After years of celebrating this film at Peaches Christ screenings in San Francisco and diving deep into its behind-the-scenes journey, I realized that the story of making this movie is its own epic—a dazzling, defiant tale that deserves to be told.”
Co-writer Varrati, who also co-hosts the popular Midnight Mass podcast with Grannell, emphasized the broader significance of the film: “The story of Doris Fish and Vegas in Space transcends the making of an underground movie; it represents a vital chapter in queer history. Much like Tim Burton’s portrayal of Ed Wood, we aim to highlight how a remarkable group of outsiders came together to create something groundbreaking that resonates even today.”
This exciting feature adaptation of Who Does That Bitch Think She Is? is being produced by Jonathan Fernandez and former Troma executive Marty Sokol, who recognized the book’s potential. Fernandez expressed his long-standing admiration for Vegas in Space, recalling how he became a fan during its Troma premiere, while Sokol declared, “Hail Empress! We’ll be searching the universe for the perfect Doris Fish.”
As part of the Academy Museum’s ‘Summer of Camp’ series, Vegas in Space will screen on July 11 at 7:30 PM, followed by a discussion featuring Ford and Varrati. Don’t miss this chance to celebrate a film that has left an indelible mark on queer culture and cinema history!
