Move over Mario, because Dave Franco might be sliding down a green pipe into the role of Luigi Mangione—if the internet has its way.
ICYMI, Luigi Mangione, 26, found himself in the kind of headline that makes you double-check the calendar for April Fool’s Day. He was arrested last month for allegedly fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City. But the story doesn’t end with courtroom drama—no, it has sparked something truly unique: a casting frenzy.
Why? Because fans think Dave Franco, 39, looks just like Luigi. The reason? Both men are sporting eyebrows so bold they could start a side hustle as bird perches.
While Dave was at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival (probably just trying to talk about, you know, his actual movies), he got hit with a tidal wave of Luigi talk. “I’ve never received more texts in my life about anything,” Dave confessed to The Hollywood Reporter, chuckling like a man who wasn’t entirely prepared to have his forehead compared to a criminal’s.
Enter Alison Brie, his equally talented and cheeky wife. “Yeah… but I don’t think there’s been any official offers,” she deadpanned, probably wondering how her husband became the eyebrow equivalent of Nicolas Cage’s memeable face.
Dave confirmed her statement with the weariness of a man who has had to Google “Luigi Mangione” more times than he’d care to admit. “No official offers,” he sighed.
But here’s the kicker: when asked if it was just his close friends blowing up his phone, Dave revealed that his eyebrow resemblance had gone viral. “Not just friends,” he clarified. “Anyone who has my number has reached out about it.”
So, no, Dave Franco isn’t playing Luigi Mangione. Yet. But if Hollywood decides to turn this story into the next big true crime biopic, we can all agree on one thing: the casting department’s job just got a whole lot easier.
(And hey, maybe Luigi’s eyebrows can make a cameo in the credits. Call it… a brow cameo.)
"I've never received more texts in my life about anything," – #Together star Dave Franco on the flood of messages he's received from people wanting him to play Luigi Mangione pic.twitter.com/s9A9pcPRJN
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) January 25, 2025