Dave Franco is getting his best beats ready, as he'll take on the role of Vanilla Ice in an upcoming film about the 1990s rap icon, currently titled To the Extreme. Vanilla Ice – or Rob Van Winkle, to some – is still around making music and occasionally popping up in movies or TV shows, including his own TV show, Vanilla Ice Goes Amish (which replaced The Vanilla Ice Project). But at 52 years old, the high point of his career has clearly passed.
Insider relayed the news of Franco's casting, though word of the project first broke in 2019 via Production Weekly. The biopic will follow the young rapper as he rises to unexpected stardom due to one of the greatest one-hit wonders in music history. Franco discussed the status of the movie, explaining the pandemic slowed down plans on it, but To the Extreme is moving closer to entering the pre-production state. Franco also compared the expected tone of the movie with that of The Disaster Artist, which was simultaneously funny and genuinely heartfelt.
There's plenty to like about this casting decision, with Franco's range and personality serving as a great fit for the controversial rapper. Franco doesn't always stand out the way he deserves to in his movies. There's very little chance the same will be able to be said about his Vanilla Ice biopic. It'll also be interesting to see how much of the movie tackles the rapper's later years, as it might be challenging for the 35-year-old Franco to play an older Vanilla Ice. To the Extreme could be the movie that elevates Dave Franco – who just directed The Rental – to superstar status in Hollywood.
Source: Insider, Production Weekly