James Franco Archives

James Franco makes his transition from the big screen to daytime on soap opera General Hospital on Nov. 20.

“This guy had 100 pages to learn in one day,” Steve Burton, who plays gangster Jason Morgan, tells Life & Style. “He’s really putting his butt on the line.”

James was told he could use a teleprompter if he wanted, but he opted to learn his lines just like everyone else. “I didn’t think he would use one, just because of the type of actor he is,” says Steve. “A lot of times people come from film and don’t know the workload, so I can see why he might have been thinking about it. This is the total antithesis of film. But he’s doing great.”

Why did James want to do the soap in the first place? “It certainly wasn’t for the money!” Steve says. “He wanted to try it out and get the experience. My reaction when I heard he was doing it was the same as the rest of America’s: Why is he doing this? Obviously, he doesn’t have a big ego.”

James Franco is getting excited about his General Hospital gig!

The 31-year-old actor spoke with New York magazine about his GH role, what he filmed on Monday and how soaps are different from movies…

On a cameo he filmed: “I was filming 30 Rock today. It was very fun. I worked with Tina Fey a little bit over the summer on the movie Date Night….I play myself but a very strange version.”

On what filming a soap’s like: “They gave me a script for the day that was as thick as a film script and that’s what we planned to shoot in a single day. No ad-libbing.

“If I needed it, they said they had a TelePrompTer, but the regulars didn’t use it so I didn’t want to use it, either.”

On the difference between soaps and movies: “[Y]ou do one take. They’re going for one take because they have about four cameras for each setup.

“It’s one take: You do the whole scene and then you’re on to the next. That’s three or four pages in a moment.”

Click inside for James‘ newest General Hospital promo!

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James Franco has hit General Hospital!

The 31-year-old actor, who began work on the soap set on October 30 (Friday), will play Franco, a mystery man who’s “a little off” for a two month period on the show. See his name in the background? Must be a big shot…

General Hospital’s executive producer, Jill Farren Phelps, told EW that James‘ dedication to the show was incredible.

“When we first talked to James, we asked him if he really knew what he was getting into,” Jill told EW. “But he was dazzling in terms of being able to memorize his lines. He has a remarkable process. He never forgot his lines.”

Don’t miss James on General Hospital starting next Friday (November 20)!

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James Franco is set to make a a guest appearance as himself on NBC’s critically-acclaimed show 30 Rock.

The 31-year-old actor will be involved in a faux romance with Jenna (Jane Krakowski, inset).

Creator/producer/star Tina Fey told EW, ”[Jenna gets] into a high-profile relationship with a movie star that is arranged by their agents.”

James is currently in L.A. shooting his first few episodes for ABC soap opera General Hospital. He’ll return back to the Big Apple later this week to shoot 30 Rock.

Here is your first look at James Franco on the hit ABC soap opera General Hospital.

Not much is known about his character on the show but sources tell JustJared.com that James’ character will be named Franco. Simple enough, right?

General Hospital recently featured a Dante flashbck, where he recalled that he spotted a graffiti sign on the wall that read “co77x.” We’re told this also relates to the character Franco. Check it out below!

James‘ first air date is Friday, November 20th. TiVo it now!

James Franco has been the spokesperson for Gucci for the past year but the Ivy League-educated actor can’t even pronounce the luxury brand correctly!

Check out the the 31-year-old actor’s Gucci commercial outtakes below. With degrees from UCLA, Columbia University and NYU, you’d think he’d be able to pronounce Gucci!

FYI: James starts to shoot his scenes for the ABC soap General Hospital later this week in L.A.

James Franco hits the red carpet at Fashion Group International’s Night of Stars in New York on Thursday (October 22).

The 31-year-old actor shared presentation duties with Mary J. Blige, 38, as they honored Gucci’s creative director, Frida Giannini, with a Design Star Honoree award. Also attending the event was music producer Mark Ronson, who is launching his new “Gucci Ronson” sneaker tonight (October 23).

Next week, James will begin filming a story arc on the longtime soap General Hospital. He’ll play “a mysterious person who comes to Port Charles who will be Jason Morgan’s worst nightmare.” Catch his episodes will air starting November 20!

FYI: All three stars were decked out in Gucci!

James Franco and Freida Giannini, head designer of Gucci, take the Fall 2009 cover of British contemporary style guide, i-D Magazine.

The inside photo spread will feature both Frida and James, who has been the face of Gucci by Gucci’s men’s fragrance.

James will begin his a multi-episode arc on ABC soap opera General Hospital starting Nov. 20. His character is a “mystery man” who comes to the soap opera’s town of Port Charles. Don’t forget to watch or DVR it!