James Franco to make directorial debut with ‘The Night Stalker’

[HMG Celebrity News] – In his ongoing quest to become a one-man Hollywood dynasty, actor, author and Yale student James Franco has now signed to direct his first major film; ‘The Night Stalker’ – the story of serial killer, Richard Ramirez. And he’ll also be its star.

Adapted from Philip Carlo’s 2006 book, the film will tell the back-story of Ramirez, who became one of the most feared and elusive serial killers this nation has ever endured. Beginning in June of 1984, the 24-year old Texan launched a campaign of murder and sexual assault that left his victims with injuries even experienced Police investigators had never encountered.

At his trial in 1986 Ramirez was found guilty of 13 murders, five attempted murders, 11 rapes and 14 burglaries. He is now on San Quentin’s Death Row.

Avoiding the grotesque horror of his actual crimes, the film will tell the story of how Ramirez became so disturbed. And Nicholas Constantine, who co-wrote the screenplay says he’s enthused by Franco’s decision to accept both the role, and the directorial duties.

“This isn’t a horror film, nor does it glorify Ramirez,” he told the Post. “James shares that vision, and we all agree he’s the one actor, and director, who can do this intense role and story justice.”

And the proof of James’ fitness for both roles was easy to find;

“We watched three short films he made; two were dark and one was about a serial killer,” Nicholas recalls. “That definitely sealed the deal for us. Sure enough, James read the material and responded to it immediately.”

And just to be sure he doesn’t get bored,  James has also agreed to direct two other films: An adaptation of William Faulkner’s ‘As I Lay Dying,’ about a family’s quest to transport a late relative to her hometown, and another film based on Cormac McCarthy’s 1992 horror-western ‘Blood Meridian,’ about a group of violent bounty hunters in 1850′s Texas.

And James will wrap all this work while on a short break from his studies at Yale.

So what’s your opinion of James’ plans to become a director? Think he can cope? – Let’s hear your feedback…