James Franco in ‘Of Mice and Men’ coming to cinemas in November

The recent Broadway revival of John Steinbeck’s “Of Mice and Men” starring James Franco received mixed to negative reviews from critics but nonetheless proved to be a box-office success, recouping its $3.8-million initial investment.

In November, Franco fans who missed the New York run, which ended in July, will get another chance to see the actor in his Broadway debut when Britain’s National Theatre broadcasts the play to cinemas around the U.S. and Canada.

The NT Live series will start screening “Of Mice and Men” on Nov. 6. The broadcast, which was recorded in front of a live audience at the Longacre Theatre in New York, represents a rare U.S. venture for NT Live, which usually broadcasts British stage productions.

In the past, NT Live’s broadcasts have included high-profile British theater productions of “Frankenstein,” with Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller; “The Audience,” with Helen Mirren; and “Macbeth,” with Kenneth Branagh. Next week it will broadcast the current London revival of “A Streetcar Named Desire,” starring Gillian Anderson and Ben Foster.

Franco plays the role of George in the stage version of Steinbeck’s classic novella, while Chris O’Dowd earned a Tony Award nomination as the slow-witted Lenny. The production, directed by Anna Shapiro, also featured the Broadway debut of “Gossip Girl” actress Leighton Meester.

Since the play ended its Broadway run, the multihyphenate Franco has stayed true to form and kept a packed schedule. He has debuted a new movie as director, an adaptation of William Faulkner’s “The Sound and the Fury,”; filmed a number of projects as an actor; and announced that he will adapt Chuck Palahniuk’s “Rant” for the big screen.

Twitter: @DavidNgLAT