By Robbie Todoro
With the world eagerly awaiting the next great superhero, director Anthony Hand is answering the call — in heels. Hand’s groundbreaking animated feature Maxxie LaWow: Drag Super-Shero makes its glittering debut on TVOD platforms including Amazon, iTunes, Google, and Dish this June 17. Centered around a shy barista who transforms into a fierce drag queen superhero, the film is a dazzling mashup of drag culture, pulse-pounding music, and high-flying fantasy. Featuring the voices of celebrated RuPaul’s Drag Race stars like Jinkx Monsoon, BenDeLaCrème, Monét X Change, and Rosé, Maxxie LaWow isn’t just an animated spectacle—it’s a heartfelt story of self-acceptance, community, and the magic of becoming your true self. We sat down with Anthony Hand to talk about the inspiration behind the world’s first drag queen superhero film, the creative process, and why now is the perfect time for Maxxie to soar.
Maxxie LaWow is the first animated feature film centered on a drag queen superhero—what inspired you to take this bold and groundbreaking leap into uncharted cinematic territory?
After seeing yet another superhero movie about a straight guy, I realized our LGBTQ+ stories weren’t being told so I set out to change that. Drag queens have always inspired me with their resilience, art, and magic. Drag is the perfect metaphor for a superpower, and I knew it would resonate far beyond the queer community.
You’ve mentioned the impact of Drag Race and the lack of LGBTQ+ superheroes as creative motivators—how did those influences specifically shape the character of Simon and his transformation into Maxxie?
Simon’s journey shows that you don’t need a wig, a costume, or a title to be a “Shero.” You just have to believe in the power that’s already inside you. Loving yourself is the real transformation, and that’s what gives you the courage to stand up, speak out, and shine.
Drag is such a physical and expressive art form. What were the biggest challenges in translating that live-action energy into animation, and how did your collaboration with Chubby Beagle Productions help overcome them?
Capturing the magic of live drag in animation was a fun challenge. From lip sync battles to aerial choreography, we worked with an amazing choreographer, studied drag shows, and poured all that energy into the animation. Watching it come alive was pure magic.
The film blends superhero fantasy with high-energy music—can you talk about how the original songs, particularly “Shero” and “Bye Girl Bye,” serve to deepen the emotional arcs of your characters?
From the start, I knew we needed original songs that would celebrate drag, lift up the LGBTQ+ community, and be so good that queens everywhere would want to lip sync to them. Each song reflects what’s happening in the story emotionally, from a Kylie Minogue-meets-Barbarella anthem about loving yourself to a Britney Spears-style banger celebrating Maxxie’s arrival. The songs add heart, humor, and pure pop magic and I can’t wait for everyone to dance along when the soundtrack drops this summer.
Dyna Bolical is a fabulously fierce villain with a wild plan involving drag queen tears—what inspired her character, and how did you approach balancing her camp with complexity?
Dyna Bolical is part Joan Jett, part Jaida Essence Hall, and part Maleficent — a fierce rocker, a fashion-forward queen, and a classic villain rolled into one. Her outrageous plot to harvest drag queen tears was inspired by Heidi N Closet’s hilarious Drag Race win and my love of over-the-top camp.
You’ve assembled an all-star voice cast, including Jinkx Monsoon, BenDeLaCrème, and Monét X Change—what was it like working with these iconic drag voices, and how did they influence the tone and style of the film?
Working with these iconic queens was pure magic. Their wit, warmth, and hilarious improvisations helped shape Maxxie LaWow into a fierce and funny celebration of drag artistry.
Now that Maxxie LaWow is finding her spotlight on major platforms, what do you hope audiences take away from Simon’s journey of self-acceptance and empowerment?
Maxxie LaWow is a bright, joyful, campy, and uplifting film with a whole lot of heart. From the very beginning, I wanted it to be accessible to drag fans of all ages and backgrounds, including our straight allies, and to create something that queer kids could watch with their families and friends. Everyone who worked on this film poured their passion into bringing Maxxie’s story to life, and I think we’ve created something truly special. I can’t wait for Maxxie to find the big, loving audience she deserves. And the early response has been amazing. Everyone who’s watched it so far keeps asking, “When do we get to see more?” So who knows? Maybe this is just the beginning. Maybe one day we’ll see Maxxie in a series, or another big glittering feature film adventure.
Maxxie LaWow: Drag Super-Shero will release to TVOD platforms Amazon, iTunes, Google, indemand, Dish, DirectV, and VUDU on Tuesday, June 17. For more information, visit www.maxxie.com and follow on Instagram @ MaxxieLaWow