James Franco’s next role is expected to be less controversial, as he is in talks to star in comedy Why Him?

The Interview star is said to be in early negotiations to take the lead role in the Fox film, reported Variety.

James and Seth Rogen starred in The Interview (Sony Pictures UK)
James Franco and Seth Rogen starred in The Interview (Sony Pictures UK)

Why Him?, produced by Ben Stiller’s Red Hour and Shawn Levy’s 21 Laps companies, focuses on a father who gets into competition with his daughter’s boyfriend, a young internet billionaire, when he visits his daughter at university at Christmas.

John Hamburg, who previously took the reins on I Love You, Man and Along Came Polly, is attached to direct from a script he co-wrote with Nicholas Stoller and Ian Helfer.

John Hamburg
Director and writer John Hamburg (Evan Agostini/AP)

James’ last role in The Interview, as a journalist given the mission to assassinate North Korean leader Kim Jong-un alongside comedic collaborator Seth Rogen, caused controversy.

The 36-year-old actor will next star in Werner Herzog’s Queen Of The Desert, Rupert Goold’s legal drama True Story and true-life drama I Am Michael.