Dave Franco has finally addressed the long-standing rumor involving Zac Efron’s injury while filming the 2014 comedy Neighbors. Contrary to popular belief that Efron broke his hand, Franco clarified that Efron likely suffered a dislocated thumb during a scene where both actors grabbed each other’s crotches. This incident has now been confirmed as true by Franco himself during a recent interview.
How the Injury Actually Happened on Set
The story was first shared by Efron on a 2014 episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, where he joked that he hurt his hand because Franco had “balls of steel.” When host Alex Cooper brought up the anecdote on the podcast Call Her Daddy, she asked Franco to verify how Efron could injure himself grabbing his crotch. Franco admitted the incident happened, explaining it was not related to any arousal on his part.
“It definitely wasn’t because my penis was hard,”
Franco laughed, before recalling,
“I think it was a dislocated thumb to be fair, but it, it happened. There’s a scene where I think we’re both grabbing each other’s crotches at the same time. And I just think he came in with enough force from the wrong angle.”
The Scene’s Context and Actors’ Reactions
Cooper noted the story was amusing and added that most would assume Franco was “just randomly hard on set,” prompting Franco to remember the scene’s context. He explained that in the movie, their characters engage in a hold-the-crotch contest where neither wants to let go. Franco described how his character uses a trick to get hard instantly, which causes Efron’s character to release his grip.
“The character actually, now that I think about it, not to walk through the whole synopsis of ‘Neighbors’ in this interview, but he grabs my crotch and we’re both holding on like who’s gonna let go first and then my character actually to get him to let go, I have a trick where I go Zen and I know how to get hard on cue. So, I do get hard in this hand. That’s what makes him let go,”
Franco said.
When Cooper joked about whether he could do that in real life, Franco responded with a laugh, “No.”
About Neighbors and Franco’s Recent Work
Neighbors is a popular buddy comedy featuring Franco and Efron as fraternity brothers whose lives are disrupted when Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne move next door with their baby. The film was successful enough to spawn a 2016 sequel, Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising, with the main cast reprising their roles. Franco’s latest film, Together, explores body horror romance and stars his real-life wife Alison Brie.
Impact of the Revelation and Behind-the-Scenes Insight
This clarification by Franco sheds light on a humorous on-set accident that fans have long speculated about. It highlights the physical comedy risks actors sometimes face to bring authenticity to their performances. The story also strengthens the camaraderie between Franco and Efron, whose chemistry was evident in both Neighbors films.
As interest in behind-the-scenes details continues, such revelations provide an entertaining look at the challenges and unexpected moments during film production.
