Featured Image Credit: Watch What Happens LIVE with Andy Cohen/YouTube/Pool/Getty
Topics: News, US News, Celebrity, Luigi Mangione
Gerrard Kaonga
Topics: News, US News, Celebrity, Luigi Mangione
Dave Franco seemingly got a little shy when a fan asked him about the possibility of playing Luigi Mangione in a film.
Luigi Mangione shot to national headlines following his alleged murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in December 2024.
After a nationwide manhunt, the 27-year-old was taken into police custody and faced a slew of charges.
On April 25, Mangione pleaded not guilty to the federal charges of stalking, firearms offences and murder.
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Prosecutors are also seeking the death penalty in the trial of the accused.
Following his arrest, more images began to circulate on social media showing Mangione, and many people insisted he had a striking resemblance to actor Dave Franco.
In a new interview while promoting his new film, Together, with his wife Alison Brie, Franco was asked by a fan about whether he would ever consider playing Mangione if a film were ever made of him.
While looking rather awkward, Franco suggested he would be open to it, despite the fact that he is actually 13 years Mangione's senior.
While speaking on Watch What Happens with Andy Cohen, Franco sighed as he replied before laughing.
He said: “Err how do I answer this?
“No one has approached me about it yet, I’ll say that.
“This is something that more people in my life reached out about this exact thing than anything else that has ever happened.
“Let’s just say, I’m open if it is the right people but let’s leave it at that.”
People on social media all weighed in on Franco's response.
With one person commenting on Twitter: “Dave Franco as Luigi Mangione might be the first time the internet’s collective delusion actually manifested into Hollywood momentum.”
Another wrote: “Dave Franco as Luigi Mangione? Honestly, that’s kinda perfect casting. Fans clearly want it—sounds like even @DavidSmithX1would approve. If the vibe’s right, why not?”
A third simply wrote: “Wow, Wild.”
However, some people simply couldn’t get over the age difference and thought it wouldn’t make for good casting.
One person commented: “Sorry but how would he play Luigi..hes literally 40 while Luigi is like 27.”
Another simply added: “He is too old.”
Regardless of whether a film ever does happen, it is clear that following Mangione’s arrest, he has amassed quite an online following.
Earlier this year, Mangione even wrote a letter for those who had shown him support.