Dave Franco and Nicholas Braun's Long Road to 'The Shitheads' It's been eight long years since Dave Franco and Nicholas Braun first started working on their new comedy film "The Shitheads." In a recent interview at the IndieWire Studio, presented by Dropbox, the two actors opened up about the arduous journey to get this passion project off the ground. "Nick and I have been talking about doing a movie together for almost a decade now," Franco revealed. "We kept going back and forth on different ideas, but 'The Shitheads' was always the one that we kept coming back to. It just felt right." Braun echoed Franco's sentiments, explaining that the film's quirky premise and offbeat characters were a big part of the appeal. "Dave and I have very similar sensibilities when it comes to comedy," he said. "We both love those slightly off-kilter, character-driven stories that kind of walk the line between hilarious and heartfelt." The film, which also stars Kiernan Shipka and O'Shea Jackson Jr., follows two hapless friends who get caught up in a bizarre adventure after accidentally hitting a senior citizen with their car. Director Macon Blair, known for his work on indie gems like "I Don't Feel at Home in This World Anymore," was brought on to helm the project. "Macon was the perfect fit for this movie," Franco said. "He has such a great handle on balancing the comedic and dramatic elements, which is exactly what 'The Shitheads' needed." The long development process, however, was not without its challenges. "There were definitely times where we thought this movie might never actually happen," Braun admitted. "Trying to get the financing, the right cast, and everything else lined up — it was a real uphill battle." Franco noted that the eight-year gap between the initial concept and the film's completion was partly due to the duo's busy schedules. "Nick and I have both been working non-stop over the last several years, which made it tough to find the time to really focus on this project," he said. "But we never gave up on it." The persistence paid off, as "The Shitheads" made its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, where it was met with a warm reception from critics and audiences alike. "It was such a relief to finally have the movie out there and see people responding to it," Braun said. "After all the ups and downs, to have it connect with folks in the way we hoped it would — that's the best feeling." Franco agreed, adding that the long journey to bring "The Shitheads" to life has only made the experience more rewarding. "This wasn't some quick, easy project," he said. "Nick and I really poured our hearts into it, and I think that shows on screen. We're just grateful that people are getting to see the fruits of our labor." The film's success at Sundance has also opened up new doors for the duo, who are now exploring additional collaborations. "We're definitely not done working together," Braun teased. "This was just the first step, and I think we've only scratched the surface of what we can do." For Franco and Braun, "The Shitheads" represents the culmination of years of hard work, creative vision, and unwavering determination. In an industry where many promising projects never see the light of day, their perseverance serves as an inspiring example of the power of passion and persistence. "It's been a long road, but we wouldn't change a thing," Franco said, reflecting on the journey. "This movie is a testament to the fact that if you believe in something enough, and you're willing to put in the work, you can make it happen. That's what drives us, and I think that's what audiences are going to connect with when they see 'The Shitheads.'"