Greg Sestero, who was launched into cult movie fame for his performance in Tommy Wiseau’s “The Room,” says that James Franco’s biopic “The Disaster Artist” is less about the making of that infamous film and more about the tumultuous friendship between him and the enigmatic director. Now that relationship has served as the inspiration for “Best F(r)iends,” the upcoming film written by Sestero and planned for a 2018 release will see him and Wiseau reunite on-screen fifteen years after “Oh, hi, Mark!”
If you’re expecting “The Room 2,” you shouldn’t. While “The Room” was Wiseau’s creation through and through, “Best F(r)iends” will be directed by Justin MacGregor and is based in part on a road trip Wiseau and Sestero took shortly after production on “The Room” was finished. Sestero plays Jon, a drifter who lost his family to a tragic accident and who is taken on an adventure by a mortician named Harvey Lewis, played by Wiseau. Together, the two hatch a get-rich-quick plan that quickly tests their newfound friendship.
The idea for “Best F(r)iends” traces its roots back to last year, when Sestero saw a rough cut of “The Disaster Artist,” prompting a reflection on his past with Wiseau, both good and bad. What stood out the most for him on this stroll down memory lane is that ultimately Wiseau wanted to be taken seriously as an actor. Even though the legacy of “The Room” hasn’t exactly pushed him towards that goal, Sestero still believes in Wiseau, and so he wrote Harvey Lewis as a role tailor-made for him.
“I’ve seen him and I know he can deliver something that can be captivating if it’s just handled properly,” he said. “So I decided to make a movie with a part that he can really dive into and take seriously and try to really make him act. I didn’t think he would do it, but one day he just texted me out of the blue and said that we should just take a risk and try it.”
As anyone who’s seen “The Disaster Artist” knows, shooting “The Room” wasn’t exactly a “pleasant experience.” But that’s exactly the words Sestero used to describe working with Wiseau on “Best F(r)iends,” as both men had something in this project that stoked creative passion. It’s a interesting new turn in a relationship built on arguably the most unique entry in the cult movie canon, and if you’ve seen “The Disaster Artist” and are amazed that Sestero and Wiseau are still friends today, Sestero would like you to know that he’s surprised too.
“For a time after the movie, we didn’t speak with each other,” he said. “But to be honest, ‘The Room’ is something that brought us together. It seems insane, and it is, but because we got there and we have a certain level of respect for each other because of that, there’s still a friendship that’s endured and isn’t easy to explain…much like ‘The Room’!”
Check out Sestero’s thoughts on “The Disaster Artist” and the legacy of “The Room” here
13 Must-See Horror Movies After 'It,' From 'Green Room' to 'It Follows' (Photos)
"Starry Eyes" (2014)
Written & directed by Kevin Kolsch, Dennis Widmyer
Cool imagery, solid performances, and a harrowing take on how far a person will go to become a star.
Available to rent: Amazon Video, YouTube, iTunes
"Honeymoon" (2014)
Directed by Leigh Janiak
Janiak made a solid directorial debut with "Honeymoon." The whole film rests on the shoulders of the two leads with excellent chemistry who take you through a well-paced story of paranoia and freaky scares.
Available to rent: iTunes, Vudu, YouTube, Google Play Movies & TV
"What We Do in the Shadows" (2015)
Written & directed by Taika Waititi, Jemaine Clement
This film is a joyride of a horror comedy. This mockumentary stars all of your favorite monsters, and will make you smile with it’s charm.
Available to rent: Amazon Video, iTunes
"Goodnight Mommy" (2015)
Written & directed by Veronika Franz, Severin Fiala
I caught this out of Fantasia 2015, and was blown away. I admittedly shielded my eyes during the more torture-y parts at the end, but I didn’t see the twists, and it’s one of the most visually stunning genre films in recent years.
Available to rent: Amazon Video, YouTube, iTunes, Vudu, Google Play Movies & TV
"The Visit" (2015)
Directed by M. Night Shyamalan
Fun story: I was invited by my former boss Steven Schneider (and EP on the film) to a small screening, and he wouldn’t tell me what it was. I walk in and M. Night is there and only a couple of other people. I was so scared, and unfortunately was sitting in the front row so everyone could see me jump. I was over found footage, but I powered through that element because the story is so fun to watch unfold. Signature Shyamalan Twist works like a charm, and with this and "Split" getting great reviews it’s great to have M. Night back.
"Green Room" (2016)
Written & directed by Jeremy Saulnier
As a huge fan of "Blue Ruin," I was equally as impressed with how "Green Room" as a a brutally relentless thriller that is both tense and entertaining.
Available to rent: Amazon Video, YouTube, iTunes, Vudu, Google Play Movies & TV
The Guest (2014)
Directed by Adam Wingard.
I caught this on the big screen at Next Fest in 2014. Maika Monroe and Dan Stevens are captivating to watch. Period. It’s a quick-paced thriller wrapped into a poppy homage to throwback horror films.
"In Order of Disappearance" (2014)
Directed by Hans Petter Moland
I was lucky enough to see this at Fantastic Fest in 2014. It’s an intense Norwegian revenge story set against the beautifully snowy backdrop of Norway in winter. Tonally it reminded me of "Fargo" with added thriller elements and tense scenes.
Available to rent: Amazon Video, YouTube, iTunes
"Afflicted" (2014)
Written & directed by Derek Lee, Clif Prowse
I was pleasantly surprised by this film. Lee and Prowse put a unique spin on the well-tread vampire sub genre by giving the viewer an experience of what it’s like to make the transition into a vampire after you’ve been bitten by one. Shot on a very limited budget, the effects are impressive and mostly practical and they make great use of the docu-style filmmaking.
Available on Amazon Video, iTunes, Vudu
"Hush" (2016)
Directed by Mike Flanagan
Home invasion movie out of SXSW 2016. Reminiscent of "The Strangers" and "Wait Until Dark," it’s a very minimalist movie, and is intense, nonstop and entertaining. It’s low budget, but it doesn’t take away from the quality in this gem.
Available to rent: Netflix
"The Taking of Deborah Logan" (2014)
Directed by Adam Robitel
Jill Larson carries the film well in the title role that requires her to go from happy to sad to positively terrifying in the same scene. I wish it wasn’t found footage because I felt like that was one of the weak elements of it, but if you want to watch a possession film that won’t disappoint give this a look. I’m excited to see what Robitel does with "Insidious 4."
Available to rent: Amazon Video, YouTube, Google Play Movies & TV
"Under the Skin" (2014)
Directed by Jonathan Glazer
This film is gorgeous. It’s eerie. It’s an artsy take on "Species," and will gross you out as much as it will impress you with it’s visuals. It’s a very polarizing film, but the lovely Scarlett Johansson makes it work on so many levels. It’s sure to stick with you after viewing.
Available to rent: Vudu, Amazon Video, YouTube, Google Play Movies & TV, iTunes
"It Follows" (2014)
Written and Directed by David Robert Mitchell.
I’m sure you’ve at least heard of this film. A testament to its quality is that it’s one of the few films horror films to get an expanded release after doing high number in its limited run. Spooky soundtrack, 80’s vibes, and a new twist on the slasher sub-genre. Watch this in the dark. There are multiple gasp-worthy scenes.
Available to buy: Amazon Video, Google Play Movies & TV, iTunes
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Kailey Marsh, creator of BloodList.com, gives the scoop on movies to keep you up at night
"Starry Eyes" (2014)
Written & directed by Kevin Kolsch, Dennis Widmyer
Cool imagery, solid performances, and a harrowing take on how far a person will go to become a star.
Available to rent: Amazon Video, YouTube, iTunes
