Showbiz Today Star of Tomorrow

James Franco: Channeling 'James Dean'

By Lori Blackman
Showbiz Today Reports


James Franco earns rave reviews for his performance in "James Dean"

NEW YORK (CNN) -- When the producers of the new TNT film "James Dean" got the go-ahead, their biggest hurdle was finding an actor who both looked like the legendary star, yet was talented enough to exude his charisma and complexity.

They found their man in James Franco.

Franco is earning rave reviews for his performance in the movie. Moreover, the former "Freaks and Geeks" star won't have to wait long for his next role -- he has some big projects on the horizon. Not bad for a guy who got into acting as revenge against an old girlfriend.

"Showbiz Today Reports" correspondent Lori Blackman met up with this Showbiz Today Star of Tomorrow to hear all about it.

CNN: You don't look that much like James Dean right now, but you are virtually indistinguishable from James Dean in this biopic. You had the physical connection to him. Did you feel the emotional one when you were making this?

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James Franco: Yeah, I think so. I did a lot of research and read all the biographies I could to try to fit myself in his life and his circumstances. And I could relate to a lot of what he went through, the struggles as an actor and trying to succeed and be the best that he can be.

CNN: I read that you actually went out and spoke to people who knew him well in his life.

Franco: Yeah, I got in touch with all of his friends that I could and all of the cast from "Rebel Without a Cause," (and friends) Dennis Hopper and Martin Landau.


Franco contacted the entire cast of "Rebel Without a Cause" to research his role as James Dean

CNN: Were they open to talking about him?

Franco: Oh yeah, the thing is, there's almost ... well, not a cult, but there's a group of people that were friends with him that still keep the flame alive, and I think that he was such an influence on these people's lives that it was one of the biggest events of their lives just knowing him. So they were willing to talk, and it was almost as if he just left yesterday.

CNN: For the first few weeks that you were shooting this film, you cut yourself off from your family, your friends and your girlfriend to fully immerse yourself in this character. What was the purpose of that?

Franco: I guess there were a few purposes. First, James Dean was a tortured person, and although he had friends in his life I think he was a very lonely person. I have a fairly strong support group so I wanted to cut that off to approximate that feeling that I think he had. And two, if I (went) around acting like James Dean in front of my friends and family all the time I'd feel like a bit of a fool. So I wanted to be alone so I could practice all I wanted.

CNN: So what was it like feeling like James Dean?

Franco: It was painful in a good way. That's what the strange contradiction of acting is, that when I strive for and achieve these deep painful emotions, there something enjoyable and satisfying about it and I want more.

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This Star of Tomorrow can next been seen playing James Dean on TNT (August 2)

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CNN: Did you like him?

Franco: Yeah, he's quite ... he was the type of artist who would sacrifice anything for his work, and that's what I strive to be, someone who would give anything for the creation.

CNN: Do you feel any pressure as an actor carrying that role?

Franco: Yes. When I first took the role I felt a lot of pressure and it seemed very daunting. But I feel I've done all I could. ... I can honestly say I ... did everything to bring him out on the screen.

CNN: I want to switch gears away from James Dean for a minute. Is it true that you got your start in acting in high school to get revenge on an old girlfriend who was doing a play and making out with other guys?

Franco: Well, the desire was always there. ... There was something about it, about the make-believe side of it, and something about the imaginary world escaping and creating that I'd always wanted to do.

... But, finally, when my girlfriend was doing an original play with a thespian in my high school and making out on stage after I begged her not to do it, I was a pretty jealous boyfriend. ...It was too much to take, so I avenged her by joining the theater group and being a lead in the play.

CNN: You have a big year coming up for you, with an number of high-profile big screen roles. You play Robert De Niro's son in "City by the Sea," Spiderman's best buddy in the upcoming film version, and you're also in an ensemble film called "Deuces WIld."

Franco: It's true, it's true. This last year ... I mean, it's crazy. I remember when I grew up, watching these people, and all of the sudden they're in front of me working with me, or I'm working with them.

CNN: Does it feel a little surreal?

Franco: It does, at times it does. Then, on the other hand, I've worked hard at this and I've developed a certain way of working that I can apply that to. It works with somebody in my acting class or it works with Robert De Niro. It's nice.