‘The Disaster Artist’ Photo: James Franco Becomes The Artist
Almost three years ago,James Francooptionedthe rightstoGreg Sestero’s bookThe Disaster Artist, which the actor wrote about the experience of makingThe Room.The Room, of course, is director/writer/starTommy Wiseau’s cult midnight classic, a movie made with significantly more passion than skill. While we were hoping to see Franco’s film andZerovilleout last year, Franco’s behind-the-scenes look atThe Roomis debuting next month at South by Southwest.
BeforeThe Disaster Artistpremieres, there’s a new pic of Franco brothers from the film. Below, check outThe Disaster Artistphoto.
InThe Disaster Artist, Franco plays Sestero,Ari Graynoris Juliette Danielle (a.k.a. Lisa),Josh Hutchersonportrays Philip Haldiman (a.k.a. the young and troubled Denny),Andrew Santinois Scott Holmes (a.k.a. Mike),Jacki Weaverplays Carolyn Minnott (a.k.a. Claudette), andZac Efronis Dan Janjigian, who played the insignificant drug dealer inThe Room.Seth Rogen,Alison Brie,Sharon Stone,Bryan Cranston,Kate Upton, and the greatHannibal Buressco-star in the film, whichScott NeustadterandMichael H. Weber. Wiseau may or may not appear in the film, but he shota scene.
Here’s The Disaster Artist photo:
Becoming completely invisible as Tommy Wiseau probably isn’t the easiest role for an actor take on. The makeup and the wig could easily turn into a distraction, and on top of that, he has to deliver a believable portrayal of a distinct character under those prosthetics. Franco likely has to go to some ridiculous places in the film while remaining tethered to reality, which the actor has accomplished before. His performance inSpring Breakersis big, almost out of this world, but not for a second is he not believable as Alien.
The actor and director never set out to make a movie that pokes fun atThe Room. He sees it as a story about dreams. “Because this book,The Disaster Artist, is about a bad movie, and because Tommy Wiseau could be so easily mocked, one can see how such a book could turn into a thin recounting of all the crazy things that happened, simply to make fun of them,” Franco said. “Instead the book is both a great portrayal of hopefuls coming to Los Angeles to pursue their ambitions, and an even greater examination of what it means to be a creative person with a dream, and trying to make it come true in a form that is just as much a business, and an insider social group, as it is an art.” Considering how obvious the balance of art and commerce is in Franco’s career and choices, it’ll be interesting to see what he’ll have to say about that contrast and Wiseau as a director.
Here’s the synopsis forThe Disaster Artist:
This is a true story about the making of THE ROOM – the cult classic described as the “Citizen Kane of bad movies”. THE DISASTER ARTIST, directed by and starring James Franco, is a buddy comedy about two outsiders chasing a dream. When the world rejects them, they decide to make their own movie – and it’s a movie so wonderfully awful due to its unintentional hilarious moments, meandering plots and terrible acting.
