When asked about the possibility of portraying Luigi Mangione in a movie, Dave Franco seemed to exhibit a bit of hesitation.
Luigi Mangione gained national attention after being accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in December 2024.
The 27-year-old was eventually apprehended after a nationwide manhunt and faced multiple charges.
On April 25, Mangione entered a not guilty plea to federal charges, including stalking, firearms offenses, and murder.
The prosecution is seeking the death penalty in his trial.
After his arrest, images of Mangione started gaining traction on social media, leading many to note his striking resemblance to actor Dave Franco.
During a promotional interview for his new film, Together, with his wife Alison Brie, a fan inquired if Franco would consider playing Mangione if a film were made about him.
Despite looking somewhat uncomfortable, Franco indicated he might be willing to consider the role, although he is 13 years older than Mangione.
During his appearance on Watch What Happens with Andy Cohen, Franco paused, sighed, and then laughed before responding.
He stated: “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.”
Social media users quickly reacted to Franco’s comments.
One individual tweeted: “Dave Franco as Luigi Mangione might be the first time the internet’s collective delusion actually manifested into Hollywood momentum.”
Another person wrote: “Dave Franco as Luigi Mangione? Honestly, that’s kinda perfect casting. Fans clearly want it—sounds like even @DavidSmithX1 would approve. If the vibe’s right, why not?”
A third individual simply remarked: “Wow, Wild.”
However, some expressed concerns about the age gap, doubting the casting choice.
One person commented: “Sorry but how would he play Luigi..he’s literally 40 while Luigi is like 27.”
Another added: “He is too old.”
Whether or not a film materializes, Mangione has certainly garnered an online following since his arrest.
Earlier this year, Mangione even penned a letter to express gratitude to those who supported him.