In the upcoming Gus Van Sant biopic of an assassinated gay San Francisco city councilman, “Milk,” James Franco admits that his endowment in the film may not be entirely natural. In a recent appearance on Jimmy Kimmel, Franco admits that he used to assistance of modern technology in his nude scenes with Sean Penn ala Mark Wahlberg in “Boogie Nights.”
“The first kiss of the movie was out on Haight Street, with, like, 200 people watching, outside. I’m sure in the end it will be a really cool shot, but it starts close and then it takes maybe a minute. That’s a long time on film with everybody watching, and, like, a fake moustache getting in your mouth. It was long enough that you couldn’t help but thinking, ‘Oh, my God, I’m kissing Spicoli.’ “
It seems as though the diehard Franco fans will be a little freaked out by this confession; and the fanboys – fareweather admirers of Gus Van Sant – seem to be already a little offput by all the talk of swordfights and sausage-fests in this film. Franco naked in a pool with Sean Penn, the numerous make-out appearances between the two that area sure to be in the film and along with the fact that in the back of their minds they know that what they see isn’t the real thing. Man, what a bummer.
Also, if you’re wondering why it took Franco so long to join the Apatow movie crew after “Freaks & Geeks,’ (aside from a cameo in “Knocked Up,” his first real appearance in that troupe was “Pineapple Express” it seems its because he was an asshole who took himself too seriously.
“I’ll admit I was not a team player. A lot of it, I think, just had to do with being obnoxious when the camera was on someone else. Maybe I’d eat a banana in the background that would take focus away from other actors. I didn’t think about it that way, but now I could say, ‘Look, the scene’s not about me, it’s about them, just chill out, James. Don’t eat a f—-ing banana.’ ”
Lastly, where’s ‘Milk’ on the fall festival circuit? It’s surely an Oscar-bait film, yes? We’re hearing informed inside rumblings that say it’s going to premiere in San Francisco and bypass the regular festivals purposely. Anne Thompson said ‘Milk’ wouldn’t be ready in time for the fall season and that’s why it wouldn’t appear at TIFF or NYFF, but our source says it’s in the final stages and basically complete (they also hinted that Telluride could be a possiblilty). “Milk” is set for a December 5, 2008 release date and also co-stars Emile Hirsch, Diego Luna, Josh Brolin, with appearances by Eric Stoltz and solid character actors Denis O’Hare and Victor Garber.
Danny Elfman is reteaming with Van Sant to compose the score (they haven’t worked together since “Good Will Hunting,” if that’s not a big enough hint for you: this is GVS’s return to the mainstream, “Elephant” or “Gerry” this ain’t). When are we going to see a trailer for this thing?
