While James Franco's directing efforts are best described as a work-in-progress, one thing he's never had a problem with is attracting talent. Franco's next film is yet another adaptation of a cherished author's work, John Steinbeck's In Dubious Battle, and the cast is shaping up to be his best yet.
Nat Wolff, Josh Hutcherson, Ashley Greene, Zach Braff, Ahna O'Reilly, Analeigh Tipton, and John Savage (The Deer Hunter) have joined the ensemble which already includes Selena Gomez, Vincent D’Onofrio, Robert Duvall, Sam Shepard, Ed Harris and Bryan Cranston. Wow. Wolff, who co-starred in The Fault in Our Stars and will lead an adaptation of John Green's Paper Towns (trailer for that coming later today), will take the starring role. He'll play activist Jim Nolan who tries to organize a labor strike by apple pickers in 1930s California. Franco, who previously worked with Wolff on teen drama Palo Alto, will also take a role for himself. Hutcherson will be seen next in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay part 2.
Principal photography is now underway so don't be surprised to see this hit the festival circuit either later this year or early next. [THR/Deadline]
