In 1963, Franchi turned down an offer from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer to star in a film on Mario Lanza's life story. Hedda Hopper quoted him as saying "If I did it well, I'd always be remembered as the man who played Lanza. If I didn't do it well, heaven help me." In 1968, he accepted a non-singing, supportive role in a United Artists film, but soon tired of these types of positions. He stated he preferred performing on Broadway, where each night was different and a challenge to make it new.