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James Franco Joins Star-Studded Cast for New Comedy Film Toad
Wadzilla director Adam Rifkin is preparing for another unique film venture with a star-studded ensemble that includes the controversial figure James Franco. The upcoming film, titled Toad, is characterized as “a psychedelic stoner comedy” that promises to immerse audiences in a bizarre, drug-infused adventure that stretches from Los Angeles to Las Vegas.
The narrative of Toad revolves around the exploits of Alex and Sam, two struggling stoners who inadvertently find themselves working for a dangerous crime boss named Charles, portrayed by Craig Robinson. They are coerced into delivering a mysterious package across state lines. Curiosity leads them to open the package, revealing live psychedelic toads that seemingly come to life, causing a chaotic series of events that compels Alex and Sam to engage in mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. This mishap results in an intense psychedelic experience, altering their straightforward journey to a wild exploration of Vegas life. As they try to navigate this new reality, a life-sized talking toad guides them through encounters with eccentric individuals, including a biker gang, a deranged French chef, and a sex cult, each vying for control of the peculiarly magical toads.
The film features James Paxton and Oliver Wyman as the duo Alex and Sam, alongside notable actors like Tiffany Haddish (Girls Trip), Katt Williams (Scary Movie V), Christopher Meloni (Law and Order), and Craig Robinson (The Office; Brooklyn Nine-Nine). According to Deadline, Toad aims to be a delightfully absurd escape for audiences looking for light-hearted comedic entertainment amidst daily life’s challenges.
Producer Brad Wyman emphasized the fit for Rifkin in this project, stating: “Adam Rifkin’s entire career has prepared him for directing Toad. It has that quirky, surreal kind of comedy where the increasingly ridiculous situations will have audiences laughing uncontrollably.”
In response to the assembled cast and crew, Rifkin remarked, “I believe the producers have secured exceptional talent that will truly drive the narrative forward and evoke genuine laughter.”
Toad could be precisely the entertaining film that audiences need at this moment.
Nevertheless, the choice to cast Franco in an unspecified role adds a layer of complexity to the film’s outlook. Once an A-list actor, Franco’s trajectory shifted dramatically following several allegations of sexual misconduct involving former students and a 17-year-old girl. He eventually acknowledged these accusations and settled a lawsuit in 2021, which resulted in him taking a step back from the spotlight.
Franco has appeared in a limited number of projects in recent years, yet controversies surrounding his work persist. While no new allegations have emerged, criticism has followed his collaboration with Vincent Gallo — a figure also facing accusations of inappropriate conduct — on The Policeman. Additionally, casting Franco as Fidel Castro in Alina of Cuba raised eyebrows due to questions regarding cultural representation.
The persistence of these controversies raises doubts about whether public perception of Franco could impact Toad‘s reception. Despite a series of setbacks, he continues to secure roles that give his career a semblance of continuity; however, the films The Policeman and Alina of Cuba have not led to a strong public comeback. It appears that the producers and casting directors of Toad are willing to overlook Franco’s past actions, but audience reactions may be less forgiving, thereby putting the film’s success in jeopardy despite its intriguing premise and talented cast.
Source
movieweb.com