James Franco Stars in Thrilling Microdrama "Love, Lies & Frank" Exclusively on Shortical

In an exciting turn of events, Hollywood heartthrob James Franco has joined the ranks of the digital entertainment revolution with his latest project, "Love, Lies & Frank," now streaming exclusively on Shortical. This high-octane microdrama marks a significant milestone in the industry, as one of the first series produced under SAG-AFTRA's Verticals Agreement. Franco, best known for his critically acclaimed roles in "127 Hours" and "The Disaster Artist," teams up with established vertical stars Eric Guilmette ("CEO’s Kansas Sweetheart") and Neela Jolene ("Cheerleader and the Beast"). The series promises a captivating blend of drama, humor, and suspense as it delves into the life of Jimmy Frank (Franco), an enigmatic ad agency CEO whose confidence masks a stormy past plagued by criminal and supernatural threats. Meanwhile, Daniella Hanson (Jolene), an ambitious employee who lands her dream campaign, finds herself torn between her career aspirations and a forbidden romance with Cameron Frank (Guilmette), her boss's stepbrother. This tantalizing love triangle serves as the perfect backdrop for a gripping narrative that explores power dynamics, office politics, and the lengths people will go to protect their secrets. The collaboration between Franco and top-tier talent reflects an emerging trend in Hollywood, with stars like Taye Diggs and Issa Rae venturing into the fast-growing microdrama space. This shift is further evidenced by Fox Entertainment's investment in vertical-video studio Holywater. "Love, Lies & Frank" is directed by Eric Wang Schwager ("Double Life of Cell Block King") and written by Melissa Lynn Moore. The production boasts a stellar lineup of creative minds, including Peter Gold of Gold Films and Matthew Ko, Co-Founder and CEO of Knockout Shorts, who produced the series. Unlike some recent productions, "Love, Lies & Frank" did not utilize AI-generated performances or digital replicas. Knockout Shorts, an innovative short-form studio, is renowned for pairing established Hollywood talent with short-form creators to build mobile-native series that captivate audiences worldwide. Shortical, a platform that collaborates with creators across live-action, AI talent, celebrity, and IP projects, draws in over 20 million episode plays each month domestically. Franco was recently at the Cannes Film Festival, where Variety announced his inclusion in the "John Rambo" cast. Amidst the buzz of the festival, Franco spoke candidly about his focus on living a "positive life" following a sexual misconduct scandal that rocked Hollywood earlier this year. Although Franco denied the allegations, he acknowledged the importance of addressing the issues raised and expressed his commitment to learning from the experience. With "Love, Lies & Frank," Franco dives headfirst into the digital entertainment revolution, promising viewers an immersive experience that combines the best of traditional storytelling with the innovative potential of mobile-first platforms like Shortical.