To be honest, avant garde filmmaker Harmony Korine lost me a long time ago. He burst onto the scene and became a name to watch after writing the groundbreaking Kids way back in 1995. Since then his films have been so weird I just sorta gave up. In 1999 he gave us Julian Donkey Boy, a strange, stagnant film notable only for it's oddball cinematic style. The next film I saw from him was the dismal Ken Park, which I've said many times is the worst movie I've ever seen. Period. Somebody gave it to me thinking I would dig it, and that person is no longer a friend.
Korine's experimental style has attracted a lot of fans, though. Not the least of which is James Franco, who has been working with the director on various projects throughout the year. The duo are in the process of pairing up for Korine's next feature film, which sounds like a departure even for him.
Variety reports that Franco and Emma Roberts will star in Spring Breakers, which Korine will both write and direct. Vanessa Hudgens and Selena Gomez are in talks to join the film as well, which will be far darker than anything they've ever been attached to. This ain't Ramona and Beezus. The story will focus on four college age girls who rob a fast food joint to pay for their spring break trip, but get tossed in jail. Franco will play a rappin' arms and drug dealer who bails them out and convinces the girls to kill his rival. Seriously.
Franco seems to have a thing about playing criminals and dealers in particular. Just look at Due Date, Pineapple Express, and most recently his hilarious cameo in The Green Hornet. So we know he'll be good to go in this. Hudgens is out of the teeny bopper thing after starring in Sucker Punch and the upcoming Frozen Ground, and Roberts has been tackling heavier material for awhile now. But Gomez? This is a serious change of pace for her. I can't wait to see how this pans out. Production is set to kick off during spring break in Florida.
