Can you tell the difference between 'The Room' cast and their 'Disaster Artist' doppelgangers?
If you aren't familiar with cult cinematic classic The Room, it's time to leave your stupid comments in your pocket and educate yourself.
Widely considered to be the worst film ever made, the so-bad-it's-sublime 2003 indie movie was written, directed and produced by its enigmatic star, Tommy Wiseau, and the process of making it was apparently so arduous, unpredictable, and downright bonkers, co-star Greg Sestero later wrote a bestselling memoir about his experience.
That book, The Disaster Artist, has now been adapted into an eponymous Oscar contender by James Franco, who produces, directs and stars as "Tommy," exploring the multi-hyphenate's unlikely friendship with "Greg" (played by Dave Franco) and the batshit insanity that seemingly transpired during the film's production.
While The Disaster Artist is a riveting examination of moviemaking magic, ambition, and hubris in its own right, you can't fully appreciate Franco's commitment to detail without experiencing The Room for yourself, so get yourself to a midnight screening (or, if all else fails, gather your friends for a spoon-filled viewing party).
Or, if you're lazy, just check out our side-by-side comparisons of The Disaster Artist cast and their counterparts from The Room to get a sense of exactly how dedicated Franco and his team were.
Tommy Wiseau/James Franco
Much like Wiseau, who directed and starred in The Room as Johnny, Franco took on the gargantuan task of directing and starring in The Disaster Artist, and apparently stayed in character as Tommy throughout filming. Yes, this meant that the actor-director had to direct himself playing an actor-director who was directing himself, and if that doesn't make your head hurt, you probably would've fit in nicely on the set of The Room!
Greg Sestero/Dave Franco
Questionable facial hair and suspicious height disparities aside, the younger Franco brings just the right combination of optimism and skepticism to the role of Tommy's right-hand man and unwitting enabler, who in turn played Mark (of "Oh, hi Mark" fame), Johnny's best friend-turned-romantic rival, in The Room.
Juliette Danielle/Ari Graynor
Graynor probably had a much more enjoyable time playing "Juliette" than Danielle did playing Lisa, the wicked temptress who comes between BFFs Johnny and Mark in The Room. Prepare to be scarred for life by the sex scenes in both films, through no fault of either actress.
Carolyn Minnott/Jacki Weaver
Weaver is a total scene stealer as she effortlessly channels Minnott's memorable turn as Claudette, Lisa's nosy mom, who gets the best line of The Room in terms of sheer absurdity.
Philip Haldiman/Josh Hutcherson
The wig is ridiculous, but so is the role of Denny -- easily the most inexplicable character in The Room -- and Hutcherson embraces the madness juuuuust right.
Dan Janjigian/Zac Efron
Efron's role is small but perfect as he recreates Janjigian's star turn as Chris R., a guy who's giving 150 percent when everyone else in the cast is at a solid 15. We still don't know what the R is short for, and frankly, it's probably better that way.
The Disaster Artist opens in limited release on Dec. 1 and expands wide on Dec. 8.
