James Franco is going to direct an all star cast in a feature film based on John Steinbeck’s “In Dubious Battle.” This might be called a dubious move since Franco’s previous directing attempts based on novels by William Faulkner’s and Cormac McCarthy’s works haven’t turned out so great.
Indeed, Franco’s take on Faulkner’s “The Sound and the Fury” still hasn’t been released. His version of “As I Lay Dying” managed a meager 41% on RottenTomatoes and was barely released. It made just under $17,000. His “Child of God” (McCarthy) garnered a 38% and made $38,400.
“In Dubious Battle” will star Selena Gomez, Vincent D’Onofrio, Robert Duvall, Ed Harris, Bryan Cranston and Danny McBride. Really? Selena Gomez? Danny McBride? Until Franco can get real about casting, these things are not going to work. I love Selena Gomez’s pop songs, but seeing her in a John Steinbeck movie is not plausible.
Franco is very enthusiastic about film, which is always appreciated. But you can almost anticipate the tedious screenings at film festivals, and so on.
The producers include Franco’s producing partner Vince Jolivette, Andrea Iervolino (“The Humbling,” “All Roads Lead to Rome”), Scott Reed, Ron Singer, Iris Torres, and someone named Lady Monika Bacardi. The latter is for the fizz. Gucci had been backing a lot of Franco projects, but it’s possible that since they’ve changed creative directors, that may be over.
