James Franco Untitled (Portrait of Randall Park) (2015)
Photo: Conan via YouTube
It’s no secret that actor and comedian James Franco fancies himself an artist. His controversial 2014 exhibition at New York’s Pace Gallery is a testament to that. But his latest painting, revealed on TV, is bringing a new level of intimacy to his art world antics.
Unlike Picasso, Franco’s muse isn’t his French mistress, but fellow actor, comedian, and The Interview co-star Randall Park.
Park became the subject of a portrait following a steamy scene on the set of the controversial film which was said to be the reason behind the Sony hack scandal prior to its release in December 2014.
James Franco (R) with The Interview co-stars Seth Rogen (L) and Randall Park (C)
Photo: Eric Charbonneau/Invision via Variety Magazine
In the film, Franco’s character, a television host, is dispatched to North Korea by the CIA to assassinate North Korean leader Kim Jong-un—played by Park—under the pretext of an interview.
In June 2014, North Korea threatened action against the United States if Columbia Pictures released the movie, and it’s easy to see why.
Speaking to talk show host Conan O’Brien, Park recalled a scene where he and Franco locked lips. “When we were shooting that scene, it wasn’t a big deal to me. I’m an actor, I’m a professional, you know, it’s a nice moment in the movie where we’re going to kiss, thats fine.”
James Franco and Randall Park shared an intimate kiss in controversial movie The Interview
Photo: film still via YouTube
But while filming the scene, the Korean-American comedian had a change of heart. “When our lips met—something about that guy is just magical. The moment stayed with me an I couldn’t let go of it,” he quipped on Conan, tongue firmly in cheek.
He added, “The next few days I was thinking about it and wondering if it stayed with him too. And a week later I found out that he actually made a painting of me.”
Showing a picture of the portrait, which depicts Park fashioned after the North Korean leader, the actor continued, “If you look at the lips, I don’t know what it says to you, but it tells me that kiss stayed with him too.”
O’Brien nodded in agreement “He really accentuated your lips.”
Watch the scene here:
