Is Chris O’Dowd Joining James Franco in ‘Of Mice and Men’ on Broadway?

This is a bit weird, I’ll admit: James Franco has already signed up to star in Of Mice and Men on Broadway, and now apparently Chris O’Dowd is going to star right along side him. What strange casting for what’s already a really strange story. James will be playing George Milton, which means Chris will most likely be playing Lennie, who is mentally handicapped with way too much strength and a penchant for soft things (which makes him squeeze a mouse to death by petting it too much).

From The New York Times:

The Oscar-nominated actor James Franco (“127 Hours”) is set to make his Broadway debut this spring as George in a revival of John Steinbeck’s “Of Mice and Men,” possibly opposite Chris O’Dowd (“Bridesmaids,” “Girls”) as Lennie, a person directly involved with the production said on Thursday. The 1937 play, like the classic novella by Steinbeck, depicts the friendship of the big-dreaming George and the mentally limited Lennie, migrant field workers in California during the Great Depression.

Mr. Franco, who is known for juggling multiple projects as an actor, director, and writer, has starred in blockbusters (the “Spider-Man” movies opposite Tobey Maguire) and indie movies like “Milk” and “Spring Breakers.” While he has signed on to the “Mice and Men” revival, Mr. O’Dowd is still in negotiations to play Lennie, according to the person involved with the show, who disclosed information on condition of anonymity because the producer, David Binder, has not authorized an official announcement. The play would be Mr. O’Dowd’s Broadway debut as well.

Well, whatever. I dig Chris O’Dowd, but I don’t understand the choice to revive this show when they could bring back, like, West Side Story or something.