Following the Venice Film Festival premiere of his new film In Dubious Battle, it has been announced that James Franco is set to play a notorious pickup artist in a feature film adaptation of Neil Strauss’ bestselling memoir The Game: Penetrating the Secret Society of Pickup Artists.
Released in 2005, The Game details investigative journalist Strauss journey in the seduction community, and serves as a how-to guide for approaching and seducing women. Franco will portray Mystery, Strauss’ mentor and wingman.
“Nearly every person I meet has a strong opinion on The Game, whether they’ve read it or not,” said Strauss (via Deadline). “For some, it changed their lives and led to marriage and children. For others, it is the one of the most terrifying things to ever happen to the dating world. For me, it is both, but I’m forever grateful for my time in the underground world of pick-up artists because it showed me that a guy who had given up all hope of ever being comfortable with himself and others could change.”
Franco has been circling The Game for several years, but has now secured financing under a partnership with Demian Gregory, which will see them producing four films in total. The project is now being fast-tracked, with a view to starting production in early 2017.
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Originally published September 9, 2016. Updated April 15, 2018.
