Everyone is calling for the same actor to play the role of protégé Luigi Mangione, CEO of UnitedHealthcare

Social media users are already calling for Dave Franco to portray suspected gunman Luigi Mangione as his chilling murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson will undoubtedly be adapted for the big screen.

Mangione was arrested by police in Pennsylvania on Monday in connection with the execution-style killing of 50-year-old Thompson last week.

The 26-year-old “anti-capitalist” Ivy League student was taken into custody after he was recognized as the suspected murderer at a McDonald’s in Altoona, about 100 miles east of Pittsburgh.

Mangione’s capture comes after five days on the run.

As soon as Mangione was identified, social media users pointed out that he bore a striking resemblance to the 39-year-old Franco due to his thick, striking eyebrows, eyes and grin.

It wasn’t long before the Internet began jokingly suggesting that prolific television writer Ryan Murphy was already in the process of turning Mangione’s story into a gripping series for the small screen.

Luigi Mangione was arrested by police in Pennsylvania in connection with the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson

Social media users are already calling for Dave Franco to portray suspected shooter Mangione

One went to X and said, “Dave Franco picks up the phone.”

Another wrote: “Dave Franco has a role waiting for him when it inevitably becomes a movie.”

A third wrote: “Ryan Murphy is composing an email to Dave Franco.”

“Dave Franco’s agent has been on the phone all morning,” a fourth added.

Another shared a similar sentiment, saying, “Ryan Murphy is already writing this limited series for Netflix starring Dave Franco.”

“Netflix and HBO executives are preparing to cast Dave Franco to play Luigi Mangione in a four-part documentary,” a sixth article said.

A seventh predicted: “Ryan Murphy is going to make this a limited series with Dave Franco, isn’t he?”

Actor and filmmaker Franco, the younger brother of fellow actor James Franco, 46, has appeared in films such as “21 Jump Street” (2012), “Now You See Me” (2013), “The Disaster Artist” (2017) and “If Beale Street” starred Could Talk (2018).

Many have noted the similarity between Mangione and Franco

The 26-year-old “anti-capitalist” Ivy League graduate was taken into custody after a McDonald’s employee spotted him in Altoona

Mangione is believed to have killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last week

The internet is calling for Franco to play the captured gunman if the story is adapted

He most recently starred alongside Kristen Stewart and Katy O’Brian in the 2024 romantic thriller Love Lies Bleeding.

Murphy has now produced several true crime series, including The People v. OJ Simpson (2016), The Assassination of Gianni Versace (2018) and Impeachment (2021).

In 2022, he co-created the controversial series Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story before making Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, released in September.

Mangione allegedly shot Thompson, 50, in the early hours of Dec. 4 as he was on his way to an investor conference at the New York Hilton.

He then went on the run for five days.

While he was at large, police released a photo of Mangione smiling and had searched a Manhattan hostel where he was believed to have been staying.

Police have since said Mangione was not on their radar until today’s arrest in Pennsylvania.

He was found with a gun, a silencer and a manifesto outlining his disdain for the healthcare system.

The man was also wearing clothing that matched the suspect’s description.

Mangione attended the coveted University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated with a degree in engineering in 2020. He previously graduated at the top of his class from the Gilman School in Baltimore, where tuition costs nearly $40,000 a year.