Controversy surrounding James Franco’s doomed political comedy, The Interview, continues to cause waves across the industry. With Sony’s decision to yank the movie from theaters, interest in the actor is at an all-time high. To capitalize on his new-found infamy, attention has turned to his next release, True Story, as the trailer for the Sundance flick has just landed.
Set around a more straight-faced interview, True Story is based on a real memoir that caught the eye of director Rupert Goold. The story revolves around Franco’s shady character, Christian Longo. Convicted for murdering his family, he goes on the run and winds up assuming the identity of a well-know New York Times reporter named Michael Finkel, played by Jonah Hill. After his capture in Mexico by the FBI, he refuses to talk to anyone. Except Finkel, who’s just been fired. It’s an utterly bizarre premise and by the looks of things, it packs a serious dramatic whallop.
Choosing to drop the trailer at this particular time is perhaps a clever move to raise awareness for the film. Unlike The Interview, which is a slapstick affair, True Story reins in the comedic flair of its two leading men. After Hill’s turn in The Wolf Of Wall Street, we know he’s more than capable of tackling meatier subject matters, and Franco’s vast array of projects would indicate the same.
This one’s shaping up to be a must-see for those attending the Sundance Film Festival in January, where True Story is set to debut ahead of its U.S. theatrical release on April 10th, 2015. Until then, check out the trailer above, and plot summary below, and let us know what you think.
When disgraced New York Times reporter Michael Finkel meets accused killer Christian Longo — who has taken on Finkel’s identity — his investigation morphs into an unforgettable game of cat and mouse. Based on actual events, Finkel’s relentless pursuit of Longo’s true story encompasses murder, love, deceit, and redemption.
