![Franco_mineo_laurenx390_0](https://www.advocate.com/media-library/franco-mineo-laurenx390-0.jpg?id=32715481&width=1200&height=876)
CONTACTStaffCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
James Franco has cast actor Val Lauren as the late bisexual Rebel Without A Cause star Sal Mineo in the biopic he plans to direct this summer.
The film, titled Sal, is Franco's adaptation of last year's acclaimed, comprehensive biography Sal Mineo by Michael Gregg Michaud. "It's very gratifying for me, after ten years of work, to see my book become a movie," Michaud tells The Advocate. "I'm anxious to see James's take on Sal's life story, and I'm very happy with the casting of Val."
Lauren is a veteran of episodic television, having appeared on Crossing Jordan, Hawaii Five-0, and Monk. Film credits include the 2003 independent film Dallas 362, and Help, a short film he wrote, directed, and produced. Coincidentally, Lauren also appeared in the 2001 television bio James Dean, in which Franco starred as the iconic actor, Mineo's costar in Rebel.
"Some fans of expressed a concern that he doesn't look like Sal," Michaud says. "Good casting does not mean finding a body double. Good casting has to do with finding an actor with the skill and fearlessness to become the character he will portray. This is always challenging, but especially so when an actor is supposed to play a real person - someone people physically recognize."
Michaud shares that he's worked closely with Lauren for several months. "He is committed to this role, and is working very diligently," Michaud says. "He has a very good understanding of Sal, and I believe it will translate well to film."
Want more breaking equality news & trending entertainment stories?
Check out our NEW 24/7 streaming service: the Advocate Channel!
Download the Advocate Channel App for your mobile phone and your favorite streaming device!
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
Meet all 37 of the queer women in this season's WNBA
April 17 2024 11:24 AM
Here are the 15 gayest travel destinations in the world: report
March 26 2024 9:23 AM
21+ steamy photos of Scotland’s finest gay men in Elska Glasgow
February 01 2024 10:07 PM
More Than 50 of Our Favorite LGBTQ+ Moms
May 12 2024 11:44 AM
Conjoined twins Lori Schappell and trans man George Schappell dead at 62
April 27 2024 6:13 PM
Latest Stories
Nancy Pelosi endorses Kamala Harris for president
July 22 2024 4:07 PM
Charli XCX declares Kamala Harris IS brat & our next President's campaign agrees
July 22 2024 3:08 PM
Pete Buttigieg roasts JD Vance and his gay tech bro billionaire
July 22 2024 1:42 PM
The AIDs pandemic can be ended by 2030, but governments must act: report
July 22 2024 1:01 PM
Conservatives' first attack on Kamala Harris: Pronouns and accessibility?
July 22 2024 12:45 PM
Advancing equality during Disability Pride Month
July 22 2024 11:30 AM