James Franco will appear in more than 10 episodes of General Hospital, executive producer Jill Farren Phelps told EW exclusively. On Franco’s first day of taping Oct. 30, the Milk co-star filmed 65 pages – “pretty Herculean in terms of memorization,” Phelps said. He’ll return to the set two more times in preparation for his Nov. 20 debut as a mystery guy who comes to Port Charles. Here’s an exclusive shot of Franco with guest star Marsha Thomason (Las Vegas) from his first day on the set. His role will play out over a two-month period.
“When we first talked to James, we asked him if he really knew what he was getting into,” Phelps 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.”
Phelps said conversations with Franco began more than six months ago when he indicated through his manager that he wanted to act in a daytime drama (the Golden Globe-winning actor shares the same manager as GH’s Steve Burton). “I was like, really? Are you kidding?” recalls Phelps. “He had heard it was hard and thought it would be fun.”
Franco’s only request was that he’d play an artist who was “a little off,” said Phelps, who declined to reveal more about his mystery character. The groundwork’s already been laid, though, for his much-anticipated arrival: graffiti that reads “CO77X” has popped up around Port Charles. “We’re getting the audience to anticipate something,” Phelps adds. As for Franco’s decision to do the soap, “It takes a lot of humility on the part of an actor to not judge it. He’s really living his life with a lot of curiosity. It’s so nice to have a shot in the arm like this where we get a lot of attention. It’s good for daytime and who knows? Hopefully it’ll open the door for more film stars.”
Photo Credit: Michael Yarish/ABC
Prof Chaos must be some sort of delicate genius. He/She’s got all the info anyone would need if needing info meant the world revolved around the small globe of meaningless dribble that exists and can be found on any message board in the web universe. I mean, c’mon, you are a professor for chissakes! Use your degree for something more meaningful, dear.
Now this looks exciting! I’ve began watching General Hospital for a couple months now, and cannot wait to see James Franco’s cute face on my screen. I really hope his character mixes it up and make Jason’s life a living hell, he’s really been annoying me lately. I also have to commend EW for the articles on General Hospital featured!
franco rules!
I’d rather see more of Jonathan Jackson now that he’s back! Not that I don’t love Franco but I’m less excited about him then JJ. What is GH doing with him??
I completely agree with you (and Sina, whose comment is further down). He’s way underused. I only started watching GH again because he was coming back, so you can imagine my disappointment. He’s only been on, what, two shows this week? And not for very long. Come on!
I think they gave him some days off so he could go and bring his wife and kids to L.A. to settle.
I agree, but I think it’s just because they needed to wrap up the Claudia storyline so Sarah Brown could move on to B&B.
I agree, I’d love to see more Jonathon Jackson. He brings such depth & intensity to his scenes. I wonder if GH is trying to work him in slowly, so that all the Greg Vaughn supporters will keep tuning in. I hope they do – Greg’s already found a great job, and I wish him the best.
Yes, thank you ew.com for your soap coverage. Keep it up!
Hello, more Lucky! He’s been back for two weeks and we havent seen that much of him. Still haven’t seen him with Lulu! I’m excited about James Franco because there is actually a Black woman in his storyline. GH/Frons/Phelps hates Black women so to see one in this storyline is great. I just don’t understand why GH hates Black women so much. I hope he brings misery to Jason Morgan and his butt kissing girlfriend. What happened to you Sam. You was so independent in 2007/08 now you are back to licking Jason’s balls.
I think they must hate black men, too. One life to live is actually the most diverse show right now .OLTL has black, spanish and gays in main story lines.
I’m glad you are covering daytime!
I haven’t watched GH in a over a year…the show sucks.I just hope Franco can knock some sense into Jason Morgan and he’ll realize what a mistake he made going back to the bitch that had his son kidnapped and to his other girlfriend Sonnyr!! GH heads are really desperate for ratings but no matter who (actors)they bring into the show if the writers and the top management suck nothing will help GH and that is a shame because this soap was one of my favorites for a long time.
General Hospital is a disgrace. The show used to be so exciting especially in the 1980′s. It had great storylines and actors. The so called actors are little kids trying to be so grown up. Word of advice GH writers, build off your past, get rid of the sonny hospital mob sham, its old, get the old storlines back like the Cassadines, not the wimp who plays Nicholas, bring Robert Scorpio back, let him team up with luke again.Get rid of spinelli, lulu, maxi,Sam, Carly, Michael and all the other little kids and replace them with real adult actors and actresses with good storylines. Kill off SONNY. That mob storyline is boring drag out and old.General Hospital go back to your past! Make us fall in love with this show again, just like we did in the 80,s Go back to past storylines bring thoes actors back as many as you can, fire these bums you have on the show now!
James Franco seems like a really classy guy. I like him more every time I see him in something. I haven’t watched GH in two decades (!) but I think I’ll watch his episodes.
GH sucks and Franco needs to get his head examined.
Good for jason Ihope someone bring him down
GH is boring and James Franco must be really bored.
The only good thing about gh is Robin and Patrick. I’d care about James Franco if Sri Rao was the writer and he was with them on NS2.
Agreed! Sri Rao made GH:NS2 the ish! Good things are happening lately on GH…but Sri Rao would make it a whole lot better!!
Once again Guza and Phelps bring someone with no direction or history and of course come across “the mob.” Where’s Rick Springfield as Noah Drake? His son Patrick Drake married Robin Scorpio ( portrayed by veteran actress Kimberly McCullough )and they had a beautiful baby girl named Emma. He wasn’t there for the wedding and hasn’t seen his grandaughter. Emma will be in college by the time he finally does… if ever.
That’s because Emma will be in college in two years, along with Carly’s new baby.
)
A few days ago I spent alot of time watching clips of him on the Funny or Die website…he seems like the coolest most down to Earth guy. I plan on watching..I’ll need something to get hooked on since ‘Lost’ is ending.