| Golden State Killer | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Vito Brown |
| Written by | Vito Brown |
| Produced by |
|
| Starring | |
| Distributed by | Grindstone Entertainment Group |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Golden State Killer is an upcoming American film directed and written by Vito Brown, starring Vincent Gallo and James Franco. Gallo will portray American serial killer and rapist Joseph James DeAngelo.
The film will be released in the United States through Lionsgate Films.
In January 2024, it was revealed that Gallo is set to appear alongside actor James Franco in Jordan Gertner's upcoming film The Policeman, where Gallo will portray serial killer and rapist Joseph James DeAngelo. Gertner previously served as a producer for Buffalo '66 (1998). [2] The film was shot in Portland, [3] and is now in post-production. [4]
After filming, reports emerged that Gallo was anonymously accused by two actresses, who do not star in the film, of making lewd comments during auditions. Their allegation promoted an investigation by the Screen Actors Guild, who monitored the film's production. Gertner and the film's production company, Pacific Media Productions, both issued a statement in defense of Gallo. Their statement said that an intimacy coordinator was utilized during filming and that "the production of the picture was carried out in a safe, protective and respectful environment"; while adding that the film's cast and crew are "proud of the movie we have made." [4]
In October 2024, Franco stated that he was unsure of when The Policeman would release, noting that "there is fighting over the cut". [3] In May 2025, Lionsgate Films obtained domestic distribution rights to the film, through Grindstone Entertainment. The film was also retitled to Golden State Killer. Variety also reported that Gertner was no longer attached to the film as writer-director, only a producer; the film is now instead directed and written by Vito Brown. [1]
Some media outlets speculated that Vito Brown is a pseudonym for Gallo himself. [5] Leonard Pearce of TheFilmStage noted that Gallo once portrayed a character named Vito Brown in Keep It for Yourself (1991); Gallo has also portrayed other similarly named characters including Billy Brown in Buffalo '66 (1998), Vincenzo Brown in Nénette and Boni (1996), Shane Brown in Trouble Every Day (2001), and Captain Brown in US Go Home (1994); [5] while also directing The Brown Bunny (2003). [6]