Venice Film Festival Director Says We Didn’t Care About James Franco’s Role in ‘Golden State Killer’

The Venice Film Festival has a long-standing reputation for supporting provocative filmmakers that other festivals may avoid, having previously showcased works by Roman Polanski and Woody Allen despite the controversies surrounding them. This bold approach has solidified the festival’s credibility in the industry, even when its selections spark intense discussions.

This year, the festival’s artistic director, Alberto Barbera, nearly included a highly controversial true-crime thriller in the lineup. Barbera has a history of curating bold programming, and this year’s offerings came close to featuring Vincent Gallo’s ‘Golden State Killer,’ which stars James Franco, before it ultimately did not make it to the Lido.

Barbera revealed that Venice considered giving ‘Golden State Killer’ an out-of-competition slot, expressing their appreciation for the film. “We told him, ‘We like the film very much. We know it is a film that is going to divide the public, but we are ready to face a complicated situation,’” he stated in an interview with Variety. However, Gallo declined the offer, preferring to compete for the festival’s prestigious Golden Lion award instead.

In ‘Golden State Killer,’ Gallo portrays the notorious serial killer Joseph James DeAngelo, who haunted California for years before being apprehended in 2018. Franco plays a detective racing against time to capture the killer, marking one of his more significant roles since stepping back from major studio projects following a legal settlement related to sexual misconduct allegations in 2021.

Barbera clarified that the festival’s concerns were more about the film’s subject matter than the actors involved. When asked if the controversy would arise from Gallo and Franco’s participation, he stated, “No, because of the film. Because of the subject,” highlighting the unsettling nature of Gallo’s approach to difficult topics, though he did not view this as disqualifying.

Regarding Franco’s involvement, Barbera expressed indifference, saying, “We didn’t care about that.” He noted that enough time had elapsed since Franco had stepped back from the limelight, and his recent return to filmmaking in Italy had not sparked any significant backlash. This history was sufficient for festival organizers to dismiss any concerns about his casting.

‘Golden State Killer,’ which was previously titled ‘The Policeman,’ has had a lengthy journey to release, having been filmed in late 2023 and spending subsequent years in post-production. The film secured a domestic distribution deal with Lionsgate’s genre label Grindstone during the 2025 Cannes market, with Gallo previously indicating that it would be released “soon.”

Gallo, a former Venice Best Actor winner known for his unconventional projects like ‘The Brown Bunny,’ has consistently made bold creative choices throughout his career. His decision to forgo Venice in favor of a competition slot elsewhere reflects this trend, even if it means the film missed a significant opportunity for exposure.

As the film awaits a confirmed release date, its premiere destination remains uncertain. Whether ‘Golden State Killer’ will appear in another major festival’s competition or head directly to theaters through Lionsgate, fans of Gallo’s daring creative vision will be watching closely.

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