Let it be known that I genuinely like James Franco. Given the choice between ‘yer average pretty boy movie star and a ludicrous avant-garde polymath jester, I’ll pick the latter every time. Problem is, while the self-titled Mayor of Gay Town gleefully smashes through cultural/social/artistic boundaries like a steam train, the art that’s produced at the end of it is… not great.
And so to In Dubious Battle, an adaptation of John Steinbeck’s 1936 novel of the same name and the latest in Franco’s quest to put his favorite books on screen. This weighty literary project has, thus far, borne little of value. His adaptations of Faulkner’s The Sound and the Fury and As I Lay Dying were “nearly unwatchable” and “stale and jumbled,” and his take on Cormac McCarthy’s Child of God “tedious and meandering”. Sadly, this trend remains unbroken.
Set during the Great Depression,...
And so to In Dubious Battle, an adaptation of John Steinbeck’s 1936 novel of the same name and the latest in Franco’s quest to put his favorite books on screen. This weighty literary project has, thus far, borne little of value. His adaptations of Faulkner’s The Sound and the Fury and As I Lay Dying were “nearly unwatchable” and “stale and jumbled,” and his take on Cormac McCarthy’s Child of God “tedious and meandering”. Sadly, this trend remains unbroken.
Set during the Great Depression,...
- 2/16/2017
- by David James
- We Got This Covered
Despite what you may think of his talents, it is indisputable that James Franco is a prolific creator. So comes a new full-length theatrical trailer for his most recent adaptation, In Dubious Battle. Based off the novel by John Steinbeck, the film follows a California-based activist who gets tangled up in the labor movement for farm workers in the 1930s.
Jam-packed with such an extensive cast-list that it barely fits on a poster, Franco’s latest directorial effort stars himself, Nat Wolff, Vincent D’Onofrio, Selena Gomez (in a Spring Breakers reunion!), Robert Duvall, Bryan Cranston, Ed Harris, Josh Hutcherson, Sam Shepard, Scott Haze, and Zach Braff. Following screenings at Venice and Tiff last year, where it garnered mostly mixed reviews, it’ll arrive in just a few weeks.
See the trailer below.
In the California apple country, nine hundred migratory workers rise up “in dubious battle” against the landowners.
Jam-packed with such an extensive cast-list that it barely fits on a poster, Franco’s latest directorial effort stars himself, Nat Wolff, Vincent D’Onofrio, Selena Gomez (in a Spring Breakers reunion!), Robert Duvall, Bryan Cranston, Ed Harris, Josh Hutcherson, Sam Shepard, Scott Haze, and Zach Braff. Following screenings at Venice and Tiff last year, where it garnered mostly mixed reviews, it’ll arrive in just a few weeks.
See the trailer below.
In the California apple country, nine hundred migratory workers rise up “in dubious battle” against the landowners.
- 1/30/2017
- by Mike Mazzanti
- The Film Stage
In the California apple country, nine hundred migratory workers rise up (wait for it) in dubious battle against the landowners. The group takes on a life of its own - stronger than its individual members and more frightening. Led by the doomed Jim Nolan (Nat Wolff), the strike is founded on his tragic idealism - the courage never to submit or yield. Published in 1936, In Dubious Battle is... Read More...
- 1/30/2017
- by Sean Wist
- JoBlo.com
James Franco and Selena Gomez's Spring Breakers reunion is all about...apples?!
There are no wet T-shirt contests or body shots in Franco's latest directorial effort, In Dubious Battle, an adaptation of John Steinbeck's novel about an activist who helps lead a strike by apple-pickers in the 1930s. Et is exclusively debuting a clip from the film, which sees Franco and co-star Nat Wolff lighting the spark that will lead to their revolution.
Watch: Selena Gomez Teases Her New 'Passion Project,' Netflix Teen Drama '13 Reasons Why'
"It's one of the most talented ensembles I've ever been part of," Wolff told Et Canada when the film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. "[Franco] called me up and said, basically, 'Do you want to do this really interesting movie with every actor you and I have loved since we were kids?'"
Et can also unveil In Dubious Battle's poster, which showcases...
There are no wet T-shirt contests or body shots in Franco's latest directorial effort, In Dubious Battle, an adaptation of John Steinbeck's novel about an activist who helps lead a strike by apple-pickers in the 1930s. Et is exclusively debuting a clip from the film, which sees Franco and co-star Nat Wolff lighting the spark that will lead to their revolution.
Watch: Selena Gomez Teases Her New 'Passion Project,' Netflix Teen Drama '13 Reasons Why'
"It's one of the most talented ensembles I've ever been part of," Wolff told Et Canada when the film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. "[Franco] called me up and said, basically, 'Do you want to do this really interesting movie with every actor you and I have loved since we were kids?'"
Et can also unveil In Dubious Battle's poster, which showcases...
- 1/27/2017
- Entertainment Tonight
James Franco is a busy man. When he’s not performing in front of the camera, you’ll often find the eldest Franco behind the lens, writing, producing and crafting a variety of features ranging from upcoming comedy The Masterpiece to Zeroville, the star-studded drama set against the Hollywood Golden Age.
Now, he’s headed to Depression-era California for In Dubious Battle – and he’s taking Nat Wolff, Robert Duvall, Vincent D’Onofrio and Selena Gomez along with him for the ride.
Adapted from the little-known third entry into John Steinbeck’s unofficial Dustbowl trilogy — Of Mice And Men and The Grapes Of Wrath round out the trio – Franco’s feature is set to place a laser focus on the struggles of rural workers trying to make ends meet in the face of harrowing conditions.
At the forefront of that struggle is Wolff’s Jim Nolan, a young recruit who...
Now, he’s headed to Depression-era California for In Dubious Battle – and he’s taking Nat Wolff, Robert Duvall, Vincent D’Onofrio and Selena Gomez along with him for the ride.
Adapted from the little-known third entry into John Steinbeck’s unofficial Dustbowl trilogy — Of Mice And Men and The Grapes Of Wrath round out the trio – Franco’s feature is set to place a laser focus on the struggles of rural workers trying to make ends meet in the face of harrowing conditions.
At the forefront of that struggle is Wolff’s Jim Nolan, a young recruit who...
- 8/30/2016
- by Michael Briers
- We Got This Covered
The first trailer has been released for James Franco's feature film adaptation of John Steinbeck's acclaimed novel In Dubious Battle. Franco not only stars in the film, but he also directed it, and it looks like a great film. The story is set in the 1930s and centers around a group of apple farm workers who rise up and strike against the landowners.
The movie stars Nat Wolff as Jim Nolan, a young recruit who comes on board to help organize the strike. The film also has an insanely impressive ensemble cast that includes Vincent D'Onofrio, Bryan Cranston, Ed Harris, Sam Shepard, Selena Gomez, Josh Hutcherson, Ashley Greene, John Savage, and Zach Braff. Here's the synopsis:
In the 1930s in California's apple country, nine hundred migratory workers rise up "in dubious battle" against the landowners. The group takes on a life of its own-stronger than its individual members and more frightening.
The movie stars Nat Wolff as Jim Nolan, a young recruit who comes on board to help organize the strike. The film also has an insanely impressive ensemble cast that includes Vincent D'Onofrio, Bryan Cranston, Ed Harris, Sam Shepard, Selena Gomez, Josh Hutcherson, Ashley Greene, John Savage, and Zach Braff. Here's the synopsis:
In the 1930s in California's apple country, nine hundred migratory workers rise up "in dubious battle" against the landowners. The group takes on a life of its own-stronger than its individual members and more frightening.
- 8/30/2016
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
When he’s not having fun with Seth Rogen and company, James Franco is spending part of his time adapting classic novels. After directing adaptations of Cormac McCarthy and William Faulkner landmarks, he’s now turned his sights to John Steinbeck with his take on the 1936 novel In Dubious Battle. Ahead of screenings at Venice and Tiff, the first trailer has now arrived for the drama which follows a pair of labour organizers attempting to unionize neglected California fruit pickers.
Featuring the eclectic cast of Nat Wolff, Selena Gomez, Vincent D’Onofrio, Robert Duvall, Ed Harris, Sam Shepard, Josh Hutcherson, John Savage, Ashley Greene, Zach Braff, Bryan Cranston and, of course, Franco in the lead, this looks to be his most polished directorial work thus far. Check out the trailer, extended synopsis and poster below ahead of the premiere soon.
Tiff synopsis:
Where does James Franco find the time? Between...
Featuring the eclectic cast of Nat Wolff, Selena Gomez, Vincent D’Onofrio, Robert Duvall, Ed Harris, Sam Shepard, Josh Hutcherson, John Savage, Ashley Greene, Zach Braff, Bryan Cranston and, of course, Franco in the lead, this looks to be his most polished directorial work thus far. Check out the trailer, extended synopsis and poster below ahead of the premiere soon.
Tiff synopsis:
Where does James Franco find the time? Between...
- 8/30/2016
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
"Now I have a chance to fight for something." Ambi Group has debuted the first official trailer for James Franco's adaptation of John Steinbeck's acclaimed novel In Dubious Battle, about a group of workers on apple farms in the 1930s who rise up and strike against the landowners. James Franco directs and stars in the film, yet another Franco adaptation, along with Nat Wolff as Jim Nolan, a young recruit who joins the activist and helps organize the strike. The impressive ensemble cast includes Vincent D'Onofrio, Bryan Cranston, Ed Harris, Sam Shepard, Selena Gomez, Josh Hutcherson, Ashley Greene, John Savage and Zach Braff. This actually looks pretty damn inspiring, I have to admit, I'm intrigued. Check it. Here's the first official trailer (+ poster) for James Franco's In Dubious Battle, originally from Deadline: In the 1930s in California's apple country, nine hundred migratory workers rise up "in dubious battle" against the landowners.
- 8/30/2016
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
One the perks of being a producer-director-writer-actor is the sheer quantity of circles that the multi-hyphenate tag permits you entry into. For James Franco, this means he meets a lot of people. Moreso than any other non-celebrity might in a regular day. By that rationale, it’s probably a lot easier to cast movies seeing as he knows everybody. Applying that conclusion to today’s piece of news on his latest effort, In Dubious Battle seems to stick; he really does know everybody because everybody’s in the movie.
Josh Hutcherson, Zach Braff, Analeigh Tipton, Ashley Greene and Ahna O’Reilly are the latest additions to a cast that’s already bulging with starry names. This new roster join Nat Wolff, who signed up two days ago, and the previously-announced Selena Gomez, Vincent D’Onofrio, Danny McBride, Robert Duvall, Ed Harris, Bryan Cranston and Franco himself.
In Dubious Battle explores...
Josh Hutcherson, Zach Braff, Analeigh Tipton, Ashley Greene and Ahna O’Reilly are the latest additions to a cast that’s already bulging with starry names. This new roster join Nat Wolff, who signed up two days ago, and the previously-announced Selena Gomez, Vincent D’Onofrio, Danny McBride, Robert Duvall, Ed Harris, Bryan Cranston and Franco himself.
In Dubious Battle explores...
- 3/18/2015
- by Gem Seddon
- We Got This Covered
Just a couple of days ago word arrived that Nat Wolff had secured a role in James Franco’s adaptation of John Steinbeck’s In Dubious Battle, but the actor/director isn’t finished bolstering his already impressive cast. He now has Josh Hutcherson, Zach Braff, Analeigh Tipton, Ashley Greene and Ahna O’Reilly aboard to appear.Franco is also starring as Jim Nolan, a man who becomes involved in the labour movement and learns about the struggles of workers during a strike in a California valley.The new arrivals join Selena Gomez, Vincent D’Onofrio, Robert Duvall, Ed Harris, Bryan Cranston, John Savage and Sam Shepard in the cast for the film, which Franco has now started shooting in Georgia, working from a script by Matt Rager.Hutcherson, of course, has largely been busy with the Hunger Games films, though he’s squeezed other work in between. He’ll...
- 3/18/2015
- EmpireOnline
Nat Wolff has landed the lead role in James Franco's newest project, In Dubious Battle.
The Fault in Our Stars actor will star in the film adaptation of the 1936 John Steinbeck novel.
He will play central character Jim Nolan, an activist who is organising a major strike by apple pickers in California, seeking to attract followers to his cause.
This film marks the second time Wolff has teamed up with Franco. The pair worked together on 2013's Palo Alto, which was based on Franco's collection of short stories.
The cast list so far includes Franco, Selena Gomez, Vincent D'Onofrio, Robert Duvall, Ed Harris and Breaking Bad's Bryan Cranston.
Wolff can next be seen in the movie adaptation of the bestselling John Green novel Paper Towns, alongside Cara Delevingne. It will be released on August 19.
The Fault in Our Stars actor will star in the film adaptation of the 1936 John Steinbeck novel.
He will play central character Jim Nolan, an activist who is organising a major strike by apple pickers in California, seeking to attract followers to his cause.
This film marks the second time Wolff has teamed up with Franco. The pair worked together on 2013's Palo Alto, which was based on Franco's collection of short stories.
The cast list so far includes Franco, Selena Gomez, Vincent D'Onofrio, Robert Duvall, Ed Harris and Breaking Bad's Bryan Cranston.
Wolff can next be seen in the movie adaptation of the bestselling John Green novel Paper Towns, alongside Cara Delevingne. It will be released on August 19.
- 3/16/2015
- Digital Spy
Nat Wolff, who stole the world’s hearts as the cute sidekick in The Fault In Our Stars, is gearing up for another literary adaptation. In addition to his second John Green adaptation Paper Towns – due for release this summer – Wolff has signed up for a part in James Franco’s next movie, In Dubious Battle.
The film takes place in the 1930s and follows the story of Jim Nolan (Wolff). An activist for “the Party,” he organizes a major strike by apple pickers in California, and vies to attract followers to his cause. Wolff joins a starry ensemble that includes Franco, Selena Gomez, Vincent D’Onofrio, Danny McBride, Robert Duvall, Ed Harris and Bryan Cranston.
This marks the second collaboration for the actor and director, who worked together on 2013’s Palo Alto. While that was based on Franco’s own collection of short stories, this project will return focus...
The film takes place in the 1930s and follows the story of Jim Nolan (Wolff). An activist for “the Party,” he organizes a major strike by apple pickers in California, and vies to attract followers to his cause. Wolff joins a starry ensemble that includes Franco, Selena Gomez, Vincent D’Onofrio, Danny McBride, Robert Duvall, Ed Harris and Bryan Cranston.
This marks the second collaboration for the actor and director, who worked together on 2013’s Palo Alto. While that was based on Franco’s own collection of short stories, this project will return focus...
- 3/16/2015
- by Gem Seddon
- We Got This Covered
Nat Wolff, who stars this summer in Fox’s John Green adaptation Paper Towns, has just been cast as the lead in the James Franco-directed In Dubious Battle, based on the 1936 Steinbeck novel. He will join an impressive cast that includes Franco, Selena Gomez, Vincent D’Onofrio, Robert Duvall, Ed Harris and Bryan Cranston. Set in the 1930s, the central figure of the story is Jim Nolan (Wolff), an activist for “the Party” who is organizing a major strike by apple pickers in…...
- 3/16/2015
- Deadline
Nat Wolff, who you might recognise as Isaac from The Fault In Our Stars, but who also appeared in 2013's Palo Alto alongside James Franco, is teaming back up with the latter for his new directorial effort, In Dubious Battle. He’s snagged the lead in Franco’s latest literary adaptation, playing Jim Nolan. It’s a hefty part for Wolff, particularly as it puts him at the head of a cast that also includes Selena Gomez, Vincent D’Onofrio, Robert Duvall, Ed Harris, Bryan Cranston, Danny McBride and Franco himself.Set in a fictionalised valley in California, the story explores themes author John Steinbeck continued to develop: group behaviour, social injustice, man’s inhumanity to man. A labour conflict between migrant apple pickers and the local growers’ association is the backdrop against which Nolan becomes involved in the labour movement and rapidly matures as he learns what it means to do organisational fieldwork.
- 3/16/2015
- EmpireOnline
Continuing his crusade to adapt all the books on his shelves, James Franco has corralled an impressive cast for his latest starring/directing gig. He’ll oversee Selena Gomez, Vincent D’Onofrio, Robert Duvall, Ed Harris, Bryan Cranston and Danny McBride in a film version of John Steinbeck’s In Dubious Battle.Set in a fictionalised valley in California, the story explores themes Steinbeck continued to develop: group behaviour, social injustice, man’s inhumanity to man. A labour conflict between migrant apple pickers and the local growers’ association is the backdrop against which Jim Nolan (Franco) becomes involved in the labour movement and rapidly matures as he learns what it means to do organisational fieldwork. Franco’s As I Lay Dying collaborator Matt Rager has written the script, adapting the 1936 novel. The film is scheduled to start shooting next month, though there’s no word yet on which characters the...
- 2/1/2015
- EmpireOnline
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