First look at James Franco as Tommy Wiseau in The Room movie The Disaster Artist

You're tearing me apart, Franco!


 James and Dave Franco as Tommy Wiseau and Greg Sestero during The Masterpiece filming
 (James Franco)

James Franco has posted the first photo from the set of The Disaster Artist, a project he’s actually genuinely moving ahead with.

The film is based on Greg Sestero’s book of the same name, which focused on the disastrous development and production process that led to 2003 cult hit The Room, still easily the funniest film I’ve ever seen despite it not having intended to be comedic at all.

James Franco sports Wiseau’s trademark long black hair and unnerving smile in the photo, while his brother Dave plays Sestero’s jock character, Mark.

“‘THE DISASTER ARTIST: The making of THE ROOM.’ It has begun!!!!!” James wrote on Instagram betwixt explosion emoji.

The actor-cum-author/director previously said that The Disaster Artist was "a combination of the Paul Thomas Anderson films Boogie Nights and The Master,” an intriguing prospect if true.

The movie is in the works at Seth Rogen’s production company Point Grey Pictures, with Josh Hutchinson co-staring as Philip Haldiman.

500 Days of Summer screenwriters Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber are adapting the book, with Warner Bros and New Line Cinema taking a punt on distributing this most esoteric of films.