AUSTIN (KXAN) — A new movie coming out in theaters is taking a more dangerous view of social media and what it can make us do.

The movie is called Nerve, starring Dave Franco and Emma Roberts. Franco sat down with KXAN’s John Dabkovich in the studio to give us a preview of the movie and discuss how he stays away from Twitter trolls.

According to Franco, the movie is about a game that becomes hugely popular on social media. In the game people dare you to do things in exchange for more money. Things end up taking a dark turn from there.John: So what did you think when you first read the script? 

Franco: It felt original. It felt like something we haven’t seen before. Right now there’s so many remakes, sequels and mostly comic book movies. My criteria for choosing a project these days is picking things that feel like they haven’t been done before. That was one reason.

Dave Franco joined us in the studio to discuss his new movie about the dangers of social media “Nerve” (KXAN Photo/ Daniel Guerrero)

Number two, I sat down with the directors, who directed that documentary Catfish. And they’re just really smart, clever guys. And I walked away from that meeting feeling like they would make the best version of this movie possible.

They just had a point of view and you can’t say that about most people out there. Most people don’t want to take risks. And these guys, they made it their own. And I would have been happy to be an extra in this movie.John: The movie is about dares and things you’re afraid of. What would be the ultimate dare for you? What is the ultimate scary thing for you?

Franco: It’s silly, but I’m scared of flying. Any little bit of turbulence and I’m like gripping on. I didn’t use to be that way. It’s like, “what changed.” I’m not that cool on a flight or in general, but especially on a flight.John: What was the toughest part as an actor in this movie? Was there a big challenge for you? 

Franco: I had to learn how to ride a motorcycle for this movie. I had about two weeks before we started filming to do so. And that’s not a lot of time to learn to do something that dangerous.

I don’t know if I would have done it again because not only am I on the streets of New York riding myself, but Emma Roberts is on the back with me. So, if I mess up, we’re both going down. But again, nothing happens. I hope it looks cool in the movie. But, yeah, wouldn’t do it again.John: You don’t use a lot of social media, but that doesn’t stop people from talking about you. What’s the worst thing you’ve read about yourself on social media? 

Franco: That’s the thing. That’s part of the reason I’m not on social media. I don’t want to read those things.

I’ve gotten to the point in my life where I’ve weeded out all the negative people in my life and I’m only surrounded by the people I love. And so I don’t want anybody messing with the perfect little bubble I got going on.