Dave Franco’s Viral Twin

Dave Franco has addressed the unexpected social media storm comparing him to Luigi Mangione—a man at the center of a shocking crime.

The 39-year-old actor shared his thoughts during an interview with The Hollywood Reporter at the Sundance Film Festival on January 25. When asked about the public's fixation on his resemblance to Mangione, Franco’s partner, Alison Brie, quipped, “Anyone? Do you mean everyone?” before Franco jumped in.

“I have never received more texts in my life about anything,” Franco said. “Anyone who has my phone number has reached out about it.”

Online, fans didn’t stop at noting the resemblance. Many joked that Franco was destined to portray Mangione in a film adaptation of the case, with some even lobbying for it. However, Franco confirmed no such offers have been made.

Mangione, 26, is accused of fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City on December 4, 2024. Authorities arrested him five days later in Pennsylvania, charging him with murder. The case took a bizarre turn when Mangione’s photos surfaced online, sparking widespread commentary about his appearance.

The internet buzz caught the attention of celebrities, including Stephen Colbert, who remarked on the peculiar reactions during The Late Show. “This story started tragic, but then it very quickly [became] weird,” he said, joking about Mangione’s Italian heritage and viral abs.

As of now, there’s no news of a Hollywood dramatization, but filmmaker Stephen Robert Morse is working on a documentary exploring the case. “This case is complex and raises important questions about vigilantism, the devastating cost of a privatized healthcare system, and the inevitability of violence when peaceful change is seen as impossible,” Morse said.

The documentary aims to present a balanced narrative of Thompson’s assassination, examining the perspectives of everyone involved.