Zac Efron to Play Dual Roles in A24 Thriller Famous From The Righteous Gemstones Director

Zac Efron to Play Dual Roles in A24 Thriller Famous From The Righteous Gemstones Director

As a long-time gamer and film enthusiast, I have always been intrigued by the intersection of technology and storytelling. The news that Zac Efron is set to star in A24’s psychological thriller “Famous,” where he will take on dual roles, has certainly piqued my interest. I have fond memories of watching Efron’s evolution from a teen heartthrob in High School Musical to a versatile actor with compelling performances in films like The Iron Claw and Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile.


Zac Efron will portray both leading roles in “Famous,” a psychological thriller directed by Jody Hill for A24. This is the second project Efron has worked on with A24, after the successful release of “The Iron Claw” last year. Based on Blake Crouch’s bestselling novel, the story revolves around two men, Lance Dunkquist and James Jansen, who look remarkably similar to each other. According to Deadline, the film promises an intriguing plot with the following ominous description:

“Lance Dunkquist bears an striking resemblance to popular movie actor James Jansen, as evidenced by the 228 instances where Lance was mistaken for him. Pursuing his long-held dream, Lance is now preparing to travel to Los Angeles and make his way in Hollywood.”

Efron is the only actor confirmed for the project at this time. Hill, known for creating, directing, and executive producing hit HBO shows like “Eastbound & Down,” “Vice Principals,” and “The Righteous Gemstones,” will be in charge. This will be Hill’s first directorial feature since “The Legacy of a Whitetail Deer Hunter” in 2018. The screenplay for “Famous” is being adapted by Chad Hodge, who previously worked on another Crouch adaptation, “Wayward Pines.”

Why We Have High Hopes for A24’s Famous

Zac Efron to Play Dual Roles in A24 Thriller Famous From The Righteous Gemstones DirectorZac Efron to Play Dual Roles in A24 Thriller Famous From The Righteous Gemstones DirectorZac Efron to Play Dual Roles in A24 Thriller Famous From The Righteous Gemstones DirectorZac Efron to Play Dual Roles in A24 Thriller Famous From The Righteous Gemstones Director

If history is likely to repeat itself, the upcoming film “Famous” is expected to be successful for Zac Efron and A24, much like their previous project “The Iron Claw” which brought Efron some of the best critiques of his career. This gritty wrestling drama depicts the true tale of the Von Erich family, a legendary wrestling dynasty that reigned supreme in Texas for decades. Despite their victories in the ring, this family faced unimaginable sorrow as they were hit with numerous tragedies. The production boasted a strong ensemble cast featuring Jeremy Allen White (“The Bear”), Lily James (“Pam & Tommy”), and Harris Dickinson (“Triangle of Sadness”). However, it was undeniably Efron’s show. In our review of “The Iron Claw”, Julian Roman praised Efron for his moving performance, describing him as “remarkable in a subtle portrayal of enduring sadness.”

As a dedicated gamer and avid film enthusiast, I was taken aback and dismayed by the absence of Zac Efron from the Best Actor nominees list at this year’s Oscars. The transformative role he played in “The Iron Claw” left an indelible impression on me and countless other critics, who firmly believed his performance merited serious Academy Award consideration. Although Paul Giamatti, Bradley Cooper, Colman Domingo, Cillian Murphy, and Jeffrey Wright are all accomplished actors, Efron’s omission from the list was a striking snub that left many of us feeling let down.

As a fan, I’ve noticed that Zac Efron’s projects following “The Iron Claw,” specifically “A Family Affair” and “Ricky Stanicky,” haven’t been met with positive criticism from the critics. However, his body of work demonstrates that when given suitable material, Efron has the potential to be exceptional. The upcoming film “Famous” piques my interest because it’s described as a blend of comedy, human tragedy, and suspense. From the hilarious shenanigans in “Neighbors” to his chilling portrayal of Ted Bundy in “Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile,” Efron has showcased his versatility. The prospect of portraying two characters in “Famous” could be the role that propels him to new acting heights.

Based on the success of “The Iron Claw” and A24’s recent productions like the Oscar-winning film “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” the X trilogy, “I Saw the TV Glow,” and “Love Lies Bleeding,” we are eagerly anticipating Zac Efron’s collaboration with A24 and Famous.

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2024-07-24 16:01