Dave Franco responds to Luigi Mangione appearance comparisons and portraying him
Even Dave Franco can’t dodge the Luigi Mangione comparisons.
After the actor’s resemblance to Mangione, the suspect in the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, went viral on social media, the “Now You See Me” star addressed the comparisons during a Jan. 25 interview with The Hollywood Reporter.
Franco was asked by the outlet if anyone had contacted him about the comparisons between him and Mangione. His wife and “Together” co-star, Alison Brie, was the first to respond to the question, replying “Anyone? Do you mean everyone?”
He confirmed the onslaught of messages, adding, “I have never received more texts in my life about anything.”
Brie clarified that there haven’t been “any official offers,” but her husband shared that there has been a wide range of people contacting him about the resemblance.
“Not just friends, anyone who has my phone number has reached out about it,” the actor said.
Mangione has remained a topic in the news after he was identified and arrested Dec. 9 in Altoona, Pennsylvania in connection Thompson’s death. The former UnitedHealthcare CEO was fatally shot outside of a hotel in midtown Manhattan on Dec. 4, 2024.
The 26-year-old was initially charged by New York City prosecutors with one count of murder, three counts of criminal possession of a weapon, and one count of possession of a forged instrument. He was also charged by police in Altoona with forgery and carrying a firearm without a license.
After Mangione was indicted by prosecutors in New York on numerous counts in connection to the death of Thompson Dec. 17, he waived his right to an extradition hearing two days later.
On Dec. 23, Mangione pleaded not guilty to state charges in the murder of Thompson. Court proceedings have been delayed and Mangione is not expected to be seen in federal court until February.
After he was arrested and accused of fatally shooting Thompson, the internet immediately drew comparisons to Franco and pitched the actor to portray Mangione on-screen.
“Can’t wait to see Dave Franco play Luigi Mangione in whatever TV series Ryan Murphy is currently creating,” one tweet shared on X in December 2024 read.
Another post on X said, “Netflix and hbo executives getting ready to hire Dave Franco to play Luigi Mangione in a 4 part documentary.”
Even “Saturday Night Live” addressed the comparison during the Dec. 14 cold open when Sarah Sherman portrayed Nancy Grace. During the segment, Sherman said of Mangione, “I mean seriously, this guy looks like Dave Franco with Eugene Levy’s eyebrows.”
