James Franco to Direct 'Zola' Stripper Movie Based on Twitter Saga

By Dave McNary

James Franco, Andrew Neel and Killer Films are developing a movie based on stripper Azia “Zola” Wells’ saga of a wild road trip to Florida with Franco directing.

The project is based on David Kushner’s story for Rolling Stone, published in November and titled “Zola Tells All: The Real Story Behind the Greatest Stripper Saga Ever Tweeted.”

Franco will direct from a script by Neel and Mike Roberts. Franco and Vince Jolivette are producing through their Rabbit Bandini Productions with Killer Films’ Christine Vachon and David Hinojosa, and Gigi Films’ Gia Walsh and Kara Baker.

Kushner’s story was billed as an exclusive account of Wells’ 148-tweet about her October road trip to Florida with her friend Jessica, Jessica’s boyfriend Jarrett, and Jessica’s violent Nigerian pimp “Z.”

The first tweet read, “Okay listen up. This story long. So I met this white bitch at Hooters…” The tweets include a hustler gets murdered and Jarrett leaping from a four-story window.

“It reads like Spring Breakers meets Pulp Fiction, as told by Nicki Minaj,” Kushner observed.

Franco, Neel and Killer Films most recently collaborated on fraternity hazing drama Goat, which starred Nick Jonas and was produced by Franco with Neel directing. The film premiered at Sundance and sold last week to Paramount Home Media.

CAA, which represents Franco, Neel, Killer Films, and Kushner, will represent the film’s domestic distribution rights.

Franco’s directing credits include In Dubious Battle, As I Lay Dying and the upcoming The Disaster Artist.

Franco is also represented by Untitled Entertainment and Sloane Offer; Neel is also represented by Washington Square Films.