Dave Franco Admits He Got a Boost from Brother James—But Says Talent Kept Him in Hollywood
The “Now You See Me” star opens up about nepotism, sibling support, and carving out his own identity ahead of his big-screen return.
Dave Franco recently opened up about the role his brother James Franco played in helping him break into Hollywood—and how he’s since worked hard to prove himself on his own merit. In a new interview with Bustle, Dave admitted that having a famous sibling gave him an early advantage, but it wasn’t enough to sustain a long-term career. “No one was going to hire me just because I was James Franco’s little brother,” he said. “If I sucked, I would’ve disappeared very quickly.”
Seven years younger than James, Dave entered the industry while his older brother was already a major star. James gained early recognition with Freaks and Geeks and went on to play Harry Osborn in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy, later earning an Oscar nomination for 127 Hours and multiple Emmy nods. Dave, meanwhile, began with smaller roles in TV shows like Greek, Privileged, and Scrubs before breaking out in 2012 with 21 Jump Street alongside Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum.
His career since then has flourished, with notable performances in Now You See Me, Neighbors, Now You See Me 2, Nerve, and Love Lies Bleeding. He’s also earned Emmy nominations—one for producing Pam & Tommy and another for his work on The Studio. Despite early perceptions of nepotism, Franco has built a reputation as a versatile performer, effortlessly shifting between comedy, thrillers, and drama.
Reflecting on his relationship with his brother today, Dave shared that the two are in a supportive phase. “At this point, I think he’s excited just to see me trying new things and to see me grow,” he said.
Up next, Dave stars in the third Now You See Me film, titled Now You See Me: Now You Don’t, set for release on November 14, 2025. The project marks a continuation of the franchise’s magical heist storytelling and one of Franco’s most anticipated returns after taking a brief hiatus from acting.
While his brother James faced controversy and a class-action lawsuit in 2018 that was settled in 2021, Dave has continued to distance himself from that shadow, focusing instead on his own projects and personal growth. His journey stands as proof that while connections might open doors in Hollywood, staying in the room takes real skill and persistence.
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