It was a battle of character actors on The Colbert Report Wednesday night when James Franco tried to get host Stephen Colbert to slip out of his beloved flag-waving, gut-following alter ego by asking the host about his upcoming move to The Late Show.
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On hand to discuss his new film adaptation of Cormac McCarthysChild of God, Franco was charming as ever even when discussing the serial killer and necrophiliac at the center of his film and before Colbert could go to commercial, the actor cheekily stalled the host by asking, I will see you on the new show now, are you gonna go Democrat when you go to this new show?
Now heres the interesting thing, Colbert, the character, deadpanned, I dont know what the fuck youre talking about. A perfect response, one that even left Franco grinning and speechless.
Colbert was named David LettermansLate Showsuccessor back in April, less than a week after the longtime host announced his retirement after over three decades at the helm. Colbert is scheduled to start the new gig in 2015, though an exact date hasnt been announced.
Following the news that he would be taking over The Late Show, Colbert released a statement confirming that he would not be bringing his mock-conservative persona with him. I wont be doing the new show in character, so well all get to find out how much of him was me, he said. Im looking forward to it.