James Franco to Play Douchey Pickup Artist in 'The Game'

James Franco will star as a douchey pickup artist in 'The Game.'

Not Available Lead
Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

Not Available Lead

Whenever I think James Franco can't get any worse than he already is, the universe always sets out to prove me wrong. Lo and behold, Hollywood's Most Insufferable Man may have just one-upped himself in the douche factor. Deadline reports this troll will be producing AND starring in an adaptation of Neil Strauss' 2005 book The Game a.k.a. the pickup artist's BIBLE, an autobiographical guide that details how to successfully hit on women. I haven't read it but I am aware of "negging," which I believe is when you insult someone as a way of hitting on them. Here, I found some examples of negging on a website called seductionscience.com if you're curious (my favorite, which I'm sure is a guaranteed panty-dropper is this one: "You know, your body language is all closed off. It makes you look like one of those newborns I saw on the discovery channel when they came out of the womb—all curled up"). 

Sometimes our worst nightmares are latent in our minds until someone spells them out, and man did the combination of words "James Franco" and "Neil Strauss" trigger a deep repulsion. (Note: This is NOT negging.) The Game, slated to enter production in 2017, is the first in a four-film deal between Franco and producer Demian Gregory.Deadline states the films will range from comedy to thriller to "high-end drama." 

In The Game movie, Franco will star as pickup artist "Mystery" (yes, that is the name he goes by), who is featured in the book as Strauss' wingman. The real-life Mystery, né Erik Von Markovik, wears eyeliner and fuzzy top hats (I guess this is steampunk??). Below you can see him lecturing on the art of picking up women. Truly irresistible! Perhaps we can learn a thing or two from him. 

View this video on YouTube

youtube.com

Latest in Pop Culture