This awards season, James Franco has received a lot of attention. This has focused on his performance in ‘The Disaster Artist’, a film about the making of the best bad movie ever ‘The Room’ which developed cult status purely because it was so bad. Franco is both director of the movie and also starring as Tommy Wiseau who produced and directed ‘The Room’. Reviews of ‘The Disaster Artist’ have focused on Franco’s performance in the leading role. This film also stars Dave Franco, Seth Rogen, Alison Brie, Jacki Weaver, Ari Graynor, and Josh Hutcherson.
Following this film’s success, it seems that Franco may have gotten a taste for biopics as he already has his next film lined-up. He is currently in talks to direct and star in a film about artist, author, and poet Shel Silverstein, who was also a cartoonist and a songwriter. Silverstein is particularly well-known or writing children’s literature, including ‘A Light In the Attic’, ‘The Giving Tree’, and ‘Where the Sidewalk Ends’. This successful author has had his literary works translated into over 30 languages and he has sold over 20 million copies of his books.
This project is still in the early stages of development so there are not many specific details available yet. However, Variety has revealed that it will be based on ‘A Boy Named Shel’. This is a book written by Lisa Rogak and is about the professional and personal struggles Silverstein experienced while trying to become an author. Rogak is famous for writing biographies and other nonfiction books.
Franco is considering taking the job because he is fascinated by this iconic author’s life. After reading about Silverstein’s journey, he was interested in the combination and drama that he had experienced throughout his life. Silverstein was born in Chicago, Illinois, on September 25, 1930. He faced many troubles in his life, including the death of his daughter and first wife. His carer was diverse and involved him creating written and visual work for theatre, television, and publishing industries. Sadly, this talented man passed away on May 10, 1999. He died of a heart attack in Key West, Florida. The continued popularity of his work is his legacy.
Although Rogak wrote the book, the screenplay for the movie will be written by Paul Vicknair and Chris Shafer. The production of this film will be a collaboration between the production companies McG, Wonderland Sound and Vision, and MWM Studios. The latter recently produced the television series ‘Genius’. This was a National Geographic series that was nominated for an Emmy. They also produced ‘Hell or High Water’, which was nominated for an Oscar. Wonderland Sound and Vision is The production company responsible for ‘The Babysitter’ which was released on Netflix in November 2017.
There are no further details relating to either the production or casting of the Shel Silverstein biopic nor is there a date for release. However, it is unlikely that this film will be released soon as those involved are only in the talking stages. More details are sure to follow when there are some firm decisions about the production of this film.
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