Published last year, the short story collection Palo Alto was just one of many weird little projects occupying James Franco’s time. Judging by reviews of the book, the actor-turned-Renaissance man is better at playing writers than he is at being one. (For a sample of his prose, check out the short story he did for Esquire in 2010.) Good literature or not, that doesn’t stop Hollywood from cashing in on the public’s fascination with his pretentious goofball antics – who else would attempt such eye-roll inducing stunts as making a “homo-sex-art-film” with a gay soft-core porn director?
Gia Coppola – granddaughter to Francis Ford Coppola – is writing and directing Palo Alto, a dark indie based on Franco’s debut tome. Casting is underway for the film, and it was reported that Nickelodeon alum Nat Wolff was hired for a lead role. The 17-year-old New Year’s Eve star will play Fred, a “gangly teen with a history of getting into car accidents after smoking pot with his pals.” Based on the film’s vague description, I’m guessing he’ll be one member in the “group of teenagers” who cause trouble in the story’s titular setting. [Variety]
No word yet on who will play the remaining angsty adolescent characters, but we’ll keep you posted.
Have you read Palo Alto? Would you watch a film that’s inspired by the book?