Adam Shankman on bringing classic comedy back in ‘Stop That Train’

Adam Shankman is bringing back old-school slapstick comedy with his new film Stop That Traina fast-paced ensemble spoof that he says was designed to revive the “joke-to-joke” style of classic Hollywood comedies.

The film, set for release on June 12, follows a chaotic disaster aboard the Glamazonian Express, a high-speed train thrown off course after a lightning strike.

At the centre of the story is RuPaul as Madame President, who is forced to manage a national crisis as the runaway train heads toward catastrophe.

Shankman, best known for Hairspraysaid the project came together quickly, with filming completed in just 19 days. He explained that the tight schedule worked in favour of the film’s structure, which relies on rapid-fire comedic setups inspired by the Zucker brothers’ style.

“It’s just joke to joke to joke,” he said, adding that the train’s shifting locations were intentionally designed to enhance the chaotic humour and make the setting feel larger than it is.

“It ultimately makes the train seem bigger because you never know where anybody is sitting,” Shakman added.

Originally developed as an airplane disaster spoof, Shankman said he suggested changing the setting to a train to avoid repeating Airplane! while still preserving its comedic DNA.

He also encouraged the cast, many of them from the Drag Race universe, to play every moment with sincerity. “The stakes are real for you,” he said, emphasising that the comedy works best when performed straight.

The comedy also features drag performers Ginger Minj and Jujubee as train attendants Tess and DeeDee, who find themselves on board a luxury service alongside a rival group known as the A-Squad.

The ensemble cast includes Symone, Marcia Marcia Marcia and Brook Lynn Hytes, with a long list of cameo appearances from stars including Michelle Visage, Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Lisa Rinna.

Shankman describes Stop That Train as a throwback to classic absurdist comedies, built around precision timing, exaggerated characters, and rapid transitions designed to keep audiences laughing throughout.