Hari Nef to Play Candy Darling in Biopic: "She Taught Girls Like Me to Dream"

Candy Darling is getting the biopic treatment. Darling was one of Andy Warhol's superstars, or personalities he promoted through his art and social circles, and she starred in Warhol's film "Women in Revolt" in 1971. She went on to star in a number of other movies, such as "Silent Night, Bloody Night" and "Some of My Best Friends Are . . ." She was also an icon for the transgender community and a fixture of New York's downtown art and theater scene. The Velvet Underground's song "Candy Says" and the second verse of Lou Reed's "Walk on the Wild Side" are both tributes to her.

Darling will be portrayed by transgender model and actor Hari Nef. "candy darling is the blueprint: a transsexual glamour girl and indie icon reigning over warhol's manhattan and nixon's america," Nef wrote on Instagram. "she burned fast and bright. more than anything, she wanted to be taken seriously as an actress. she taught girls like me how to dream—perhaps even how to be at all. i have a drawing from her diary tattooed on my arm. it's the honor of my life to get the chance to play her on the screen."

To get ready for the role, Nef is diving into the research process. "In preparation for the role, I have consulted her friends, her diaries — every frame of celluloid I can find with her within it," Nef tells Deadline. "I'm calling up theatre archives to read the scripts of the plays she performed downtown! Thankfully, the producers have already amassed a treasure trove of archival riches. We're attacking it! I'm so excited!"

"Transparent" writer Stephanie Kornick will write the script for the as-yet-untitled feature. "I am deeply honored to be entrusted with the responsibility of adapting Candy's incredible life story for the big screen," Kornick says, per Deadline, adding that she is "pleased to have the opportunity to bring that experience to crafting the story of such a legendary figure within LGBTQ history and culture." A release date for the biopic has not been announced.