Hollywood star says ‘everyone is urging him’ to play Luigi Mangione in true crime biopic

The resemblance between the two is uncanny.

Mangione is the man suspected of shooting and killing CEO of UnitedHealthcare Brian Thompson in New York City last December.

After a five-day search, the 26-year-old was arrested in Pennsylvania and charged with murder.

The suspected killer has dominated headlines over the last month, with a strange cult following emerging on social media calling for his release from custody.

While promoting his new horror film Together at Sundance Film Festival - which he stars in alongside wife Alison Brie - Franco was asked by The Hollywood Reporter if anyone has reached out about the comparisons many have made between him and Mangione.

Brie responded: "Anyone? Do you mean everyone?" Franco added: "I have never received more texts in my life about anything."

He continued: "Anyone who has my phone number has reached out about it."

While a scripted movie has not yet been announced, several documentary projects about the murder are currently in production, including one from Oscar winner Alex Gibney.

"But I don’t think there have been any official offers," Brie joked, with Franco saying, "No, no official offers."

Mangione is currently in federal custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn.

He is facing a federal murder charge, which could result in the death penalty. He is also facing state charges, which could result in life in prison without parole.

The indictment date was initially scheduled for 18 January, but after both parties agreed in a letter to the court, it was changed to 17 February.