Matthew Lopez is set to make his directorial debut with an adaption of Casey McQuiston’s 2019 bestseller LGBTQ+ romance novel, Red, White & Royal Blue. Lopez is also a co-writer along with Ted Malawer.

The film is a romantic comedy that follows the fictional son of a U.S. president, Alex Claremont-Diaz (Taylor Zakhar Perez), who befriends Britain’s fictional Prince Henry (Nicholas Galitzine), to prevent a media disaster during his mother’s re-election, Ellen Claremont (Uma Thurman). Alex and Henry’s friendship develops into a romantic relationship, enabling both characters to explore their sexuality. 

Lopez felt inclined to direct the film due to his experience as a Puerto Rican teen in the queer community. He also said the book inspired him to promote community and safe spaces for queer teens.   

When I read the book, I was taken by the character of Alex Claremont-Diaz. As a queer Puerto Rican, I had never encountered a character like that. Had there been an Alex out there in the world when I was a teenager, it would have made my life easier. It would have meant so much to read a book with someone similar to me in it.

Lopez noted that he took inspiration from classic romantic comedies such as Bringing Up Baby (1938), The Philadelphia Story (1940), Broadcast News (1987), and Moonstruck (1987).  

Those movies have scenes that often work best when the directors just put the actors in the frame and let them do their thing. There’s not all this cutting. And I asked my actors to prepare to make this movie like they would prepare for a play.

Red, White & Royal Blue releases exclusively on Amazon Prime Video on August 11, 2023.