Dave Franco has named Spike Jonze as his ideal director to collaborate with, sharing this dream publicly during a recent interview. Franco, who has openly discussed his aspirations, highlighted his admiration for Jonze’s filmmaking approach, shining new light on the ‘Dave Franco dream director’ topic.
Dave Franco’s Rise and His Influential Connections
Navigating a career alongside a famous sibling has never been simple, but for Dave Franco, the journey has seen significant change after his brother James Franco’s reputation became a liability rather than an asset. Freed from comparison, Dave Franco has had the chance to shape his own narrative in Hollywood, even as he sometimes finds himself in the shadow of his wife, Alison Brie, whose career is also prominent.
Throughout his acting journey, Dave Franco has worked with a diverse group of well-regarded directors. In the ‘Now You See Me’ film franchise, he collaborated with Louis Leterrier, Jon M. Chu, and Reuben Fleischer. His professional path has also included projects with directors such as Rose Glass, Noah Baumbach, and Barry Jenkins. While each of these experiences has contributed to Franco’s growth, one director stands out as his personal ideal.
Spike Jonze Tops Franco’s Wish List
During a conversation with Rotten Tomatoes about his five favorite films, Franco reflected on his admiration for classic filmmakers including Alfred Hitchcock and Rob Reiner. However, when asked to name his ultimate pick, Franco singled out a specific director and film as the pinnacle of his admiration. He described the impact that Jonze’s work has had on him, emphasizing the imaginative fusion of genres and distinctive vision present in Jonze’s films.
“Being John Malkovich mashes different genres and spins everything on its head,”
Dave Franco, Actor
“Spike Jonze tends to do that – he’s got his own unique take on the world and I love it. He’s probably the number one director that I would love to work with.”
Dave Franco, Actor
The Legacy of ‘Being John Malkovich’
Jonze’s breakout as a feature film director came in 1999 with ‘Being John Malkovich,’ the story of a puppeteer who discovers a supernatural passage into actor John Malkovich’s mind. The film quickly developed a reputation for its eccentricity and originality, earning a cult status that persists today. Before his successful transition to feature-length movies, Jonze was acclaimed for his work on music videos and skateboarding projects. Since then, his select directorial portfolio has expanded only modestly to include ‘Adaptation,’ ‘Where the Wild Things Are,’ and ‘Her.’ While Jonze is not prolific in terms of quantity, his projects consistently make a resounding impact in the industry and on audiences.
Franco’s Appreciation for Other Creative Forces
Dave Franco’s respect for ‘Being John Malkovich’ extends beyond Jonze’s directorial choices. He holds screenwriter Charlie Kaufman in high esteem, adding another creative layer to his admiration for the film.
“Charlie Kaufman is one of my favorite writers too,”
Dave Franco, Actor
The film’s cast also receives Franco’s praise, particularly for the compelling performances from its leads.
“John Cusack is so good in that movie – just so sad but yet so funny – and Cameron Diaz killed it in that role too,”
Dave Franco, Actor
“That’s my favorite of hers. The fact that Malkovich even agreed to do the movie is such a fun element within itself. It works on many levels.”
Dave Franco, Actor
Spike Jonze’s Recent Work and Future Possibilities
Jonze’s last narrative feature, ‘Her,’ was released in 2013 and garnered critical acclaim as a singular vision of romance and technology. In the intervening years, Jonze has focused much of his creative energy on collaborations with the Jackass team, writing for their most recent projects and directing a 2020 documentary about the Beastie Boys. Franco’s comments suggest that unless new opportunities emerge in narrative cinema, working with Jonze might mean venturing far outside his usual acting roles.
Why This Dream Collaboration Matters
Dave Franco continues to build his reputation as a talented performer, choosing projects that allow him to collaborate with respected industry figures. His interest in working with Spike Jonze hints at a desire to explore more unconventional and imaginative territory in his career. While Jonze has taken a step back from traditional filmmaking in recent years, Franco’s admiration reflects an ongoing recognition of the director’s unique influence over modern cinema. If paths align, this dream pairing could yield a creative work that draws on the strengths—and passions—of both artists.
