Suffering from James Franco fatigue? Perhaps you have seen too much of the actor; after all, he seems to be everywhere at once, from television to film to co-host of the Academy Awards. You might even have considered punching the TV when he pops up on screen.
And now you can.
Thanks to Minneapolis ad agency Fallon, everyone with an online connection can get a chance to bust Franco's chops.
Riffing off the promos for the weekend airing of the "Comedy Central Roast of James Franco," Fallon created an online video game to pit any Franco-foe against characters inspired by ones he has played in the movies. "It gives a person a chance to take some fun shots at Franco, just like the roasters," said Marty Wetherall, director of innovation at Fallon.
The retro-style game — co-created by five Fallon employees, Sabertooth's creative graphics team in Los Angeles and a dozen Comedy Central staffers — includes four levels. On the final, most difficult level, the player gets to box the actor, who is depicted in his tuxedo from the roast. (The show was taped in advance.)
The game makes it satisfyingly easy to knock Franco flat, but he always rises again with pithy nuggets like "Ain't no matter. I'm still untouchable," or "I don't know how you did it, but I'm burnt."
The roast of the 2011 Academy Awards co-host/soap star/Ph.D. candidate at Yale/filmmaking teacher/author/yada/yada airs at 9 p.m. Monday on Comedy Central.
The agency handles media strategy for Comedy Central.
The Fallon crew didn't personally meet Franco. "We hope he plays it so he can box against himself," Wetherall said.
John Ewoldt • 612-673-7633
