Do You Need to See ‘The Room’ Before Watching ‘The Disaster Artist?’ James Franco, Ari Graynor Weigh In

Do you need to see 2003’s “The Room” before watching “The Disaster Artist” when it goes wide this weekend? Stars James Franco and Ari Graynor say, not necessarily.

“No, they don’t have to see ‘The Room,'” Franco, who plays Tommy Wiseau in the film, told TheWrap. “This is a movie about friendship so everyone can understand it.”

Graynor — who in “The Disaster Artist” plays Lisa, the actress playing Wiseau’s fiancee in “The Room” — agreed: “I don’t think you need to. ‘The Disaster Artist’ operates on two levels: if you’ve seen ‘The Room,’ it’s a love letter to the film and a scavenger hunt for fans. If you haven’t, it’s a movie about big dreamers and making your art no matter what people think.

“It’s a win-win either way.