Actor and producer Dave Franco has revealed that a particularly raunchy scene in his upcoming road comedy, Idiots, stands as the "craziest thing" he has ever filmed, a bold statement from an actor known for pushing boundaries on screen. The film, set for an August 28 theatrical release, features Franco in a pivotal role that required him to commit to an infamously graphic moment, which he compares to iconic cinematic "poo scenes" from comedy history. This candid reflection comes as Franco also sheds light on his unique approach to networking in Hollywood and the decade-long journey to bring Idiots to the big screen.
Franco’s Strategic Industry Outreach
Franco, known for his roles in films like 21 Jump Street and Now You See Me, has cultivated a distinctive strategy for engaging with emerging talent in the film industry. Unlike many who view Hollywood as a purely competitive landscape, Franco actively reaches out to first-time directors whose work he admires. This proactive approach, while partly driven by a desire to land future roles, is primarily motivated by a wish to foster a more collaborative and less cutthroat environment. He believes in extending "good vibes," especially to those navigating their initial film releases.
This philosophy proved instrumental in the creation of Idiots. Franco’s appreciation for director Jeremy Saulnier’s 2013 breakout thriller, Blue Ruin, led him to its star, Macon Blair. Years later, when Blair made his directorial debut with the Sundance-winning I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore (2017), Franco promptly sent a congratulatory message, expressing his admiration and a keen interest in future collaboration. This overture, initially leading to friendship, eventually paved the way for their joint venture on Idiots.
The Long Road to Idiots: A Decade in Development
The script for Idiots, originally titled The Shitheads, landed in Franco’s inbox shortly after his initial outreach to Blair in 2017. However, Franco quickly realized he was too young to portray Mark Southard, the aging slacker central to the story. The narrative follows Mark and fellow underachiever Davis Hench as they reluctantly transport a problematic trust-fund teen, Sheridan, to rehab. The project languished, despite early interest from actors like Luke Wilson and Tracy Morgan, as financing fell apart in 2017 and 2018.
The film remained shelved for years until 2024, when Franco, having matured into the appropriate age for Mark Southard, reconnected with Blair. By this time, Franco had also garnered significant experience behind the camera as a director and producer, making him a valuable asset beyond his acting talents. He offered to assist as a producer, helping secure funding for the dormant project. This marked a decade of persistent effort, with Franco humorously describing his pursuit of collaboration with Blair as "stalking."
Casting and Production: Building the Ensemble
With Franco’s renewed involvement, The Shitheads secured funding in 2025 and commenced filming in Georgia that fall. Franco played a crucial role in casting, recommending O’Shea Jackson Jr. for the role of Davis. The two actors had previously worked together on a series for the now-defunct short-form platform Quibi, establishing a rapport that would translate to their on-screen chemistry. For the character of Sheridan, the despicable teenage influencer, Franco suggested Mason Thames, with whom he had collaborated on the 2025 film Regretting You. This curated casting, leveraging existing professional relationships, aimed to foster a comfortable and collaborative set environment, a principle Franco values deeply.
The "Craziest Thing": A Volcanic Diarrhea Scene
The original title, The Shitheads, was not merely a descriptor of the protagonists’ incompetence but a direct reference to the film’s most infamous sequence. This scene involves Sheridan spiking his handlers’ generic colas, leading to a "geyser of diarrhea" erupting from Mark in their motel room. Franco minced no words in describing the experience. "It’s a top-three poo scene in cinematic history. It’s up there with Jeff Daniels in Dumb and Dumber," he stated, highlighting the scene’s extreme nature.
Franco recounted calling his wife, actress Alison Brie, immediately after filming, proclaiming it the "craziest thing" he had ever done on camera, despite a career filled with unconventional and "fucked-up" roles. The production team, eager to maximize the scene’s impact, used practical effects. Franco described the initial take as "volcanic," leading to immediate laughter from the cast and crew. For the second take, "mashed-up Cocoa Krispies" were added for extra "texture." This commitment to unadulterated, shocking humor underscores the film’s dedication to its throwback comedy roots.
A Title Change for Broader Appeal
After its premiere at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, the film secured theatrical distribution from IFC. While the deal was not contingent on a title change, the marketing realities of promoting a film titled The Shitheads quickly became apparent. Distributors explained the limitations, such as the impossibility of placing billboards with the word "shit" in public spaces. Recognizing the need for broader traction, the team opted for a name that retained the original’s "tonal spirit" without the explicit profanity. They settled on Idiots, a title previously used by Lars von Trier, but available in its "cleaner version."
Despite the official title change, the film retains a clear nod to its original name. A line delivered by Sheridan, referring to Mark and Davis as "shitheads," remains in the movie, though it was altered to "idiots" for the trailer. Franco supported keeping the original dialogue in the film, arguing that it honored the scene’s intention. This subtle detail ensures that the film’s journey and its raunchy origins are not entirely forgotten by attentive audiences.
Mark Southard: The Cocky, Delusional Everyman
Franco’s portrayal of Mark Southard delves into the character’s profound lack of self-awareness and his misguided sense of heroism. Mark consistently attempts to connect with others, often with cringeworthy results, believing he is the "smartest guy in the room" when, in reality, he is a "cocky fucking idiot." Franco relishes playing such a character, finding humor in Mark’s earnest but ultimately flawed attempts at relating to the world.
This role also allowed Franco to showcase his versatility in playing characters under the influence. While his dramatic turn as a heroin addict in 6 Balloons (2018) involved significant physical transformation and a serious tone, and his comedic "Dave Franco" persona on The Studio featured a manic, multi-substance trip, Idiots presents a different kind of drug experience. Mark’s trip is characterized by a "sink-into-the-couch" delirium, where specific "trigger words" can send him spiraling. This nuance demonstrates Franco’s range in depicting altered states.
Dave Franco’s Future: Directing, Franchises, and Wild Rides
Beyond Idiots, Franco maintains an active career with diverse interests. He plans to direct again, with a strong inclination towards another horror film, following his debut with The Rental. However, he acknowledges the intense, years-long commitment directing demands, and for now, finds satisfaction in producing roles on films he also acts in, allowing him to engage in creative conversations "from the ground up" without the singular focus of directing.
Updates on his involvement in established franchises remain fluid. While he has expressed his affection for the Jump Street series, he is uncertain if his character, Eric Molson, will naturally fit into the narrative of 24 Jump Street. Similarly, for Now You See Me 4, which he jokingly refers to as 4 Now You See Me: 4 Now You Don’t, Franco has heard of a script in development but has yet to see it.
Franco also reflected on past "idiotic" experiences, including a particularly harrowing moment during the filming of Michael Bay’s 2019 action flick, 6 Underground. As a getaway driver in Florence, Italy, Franco found himself performing donuts dangerously close to a world-famous museum, with co-stars like Ryan Reynolds in the car. He admitted the stunt was "slightly idiotic," recognizing the immense risk to historical landmarks and the safety of those involved, acknowledging he should have deferred to his stunt double. This anecdote, much like the infamous scene in Idiots, highlights a career built on embracing the audacious, both on and off camera.
The Return of Raunchy Comedy
Idiots aims to be a revival of a comedy subgenre that has largely receded from multiplexes. Franco explicitly positions the film as a "throwback comedy," drawing comparisons to early 2000s hits like The Hangover, Superbad, Pineapple Express, and Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle. He emphasizes the film’s "hard-hitting" nature, promising audiences that the diarrhea scene is just one of many moments designed to "shock" and push boundaries.
Franco believes there is a significant audience craving these types of comedies. He passionately advocates for moviegoers to support Idiots, asserting that its success is crucial for the continued production of such films. "For us to be able to make more comedies again, people need to see the rare ones that do get made," Franco urged. Despite its explicit content, the film faced no pressure from the MPA to censor the "gnarliest shit scene possible," a decision Franco lauded with a simple "Respect." Idiots now stands as a testament to Franco’s unconventional career path, his dedication to fostering industry camaraderie, and his willingness to go to extreme lengths for a laugh, hoping to reignite a passion for the unadulterated, raunchy humor of yesteryear.
