The Disaster Artist (film)

The Disaster Artist is an upcoming American biographical comedy film directed by, co-produced by, and starring James Franco. Based on Greg Sestero's non-fiction book of the same name, the film depicts the early friendship of Sestero and Tommy Wiseau, the filmmaker behind the 2003 cult film The Room, and the making of the film itself.

The film stars James and Dave Franco alongside a supporting cast featuring Seth Rogen, Josh Hutcherson, Ari Graynor, Jacki Weaver, Hannibal Buress, Andrew Santino, Zac Efron, Alison Brie, Sharon Stone and Bryan Cranston. Principal photography of the film began on December 8, 2015. It is scheduled to be theatrically released in 2017. It will have its world premiere at South by Southwest in March 2017.

Tommy Wiseau also has a "contractually obligated" cameo opposite James Franco.

In February 2014, Seth Rogen's production company Point Grey Pictures announced it had acquired the book and life rights to The Disaster Artist. James Franco will direct and play Wiseau, and his brother Dave Franco will star as Sestero. Franco stated The Disaster Artist was "a combination of Boogie Nights and The Master". On September 8, 2014, it was announced that Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber, screenwriters of The Fault in Our Stars, The Spectacular Now, and 500 Days of Summer, would write the script for The Disaster Artist. Cinematography for The Disaster Artist is by Brandon Trost, who previously shot This Is the End and The Interview. The title was changed from The Disaster Artist to The Masterpiece in April 2016, though The Disaster Artist was confirmed as the official title when the film's SXSW premiere was announced. It has been announced that it will most likely receive an R rating.