James Franco Explains What The Hell He's Doing On Daytime TV (Sort Of)
Filed under: TV News > James Franco
In what seems like a giant step backwards, James Franco has begun his guest appearance on General Hospital. He's only a few days into the shooting, but the big question still bugging everyone is WHY???
The man has a lucrative film career and most soap actors spend their lives dreaming of when they will get the hell out of Springfield or Port Charles or wherever the hell this one takes place!
Trying to get to the bottom of the mystery, a reporter caught up with James at a gala event in NYC and cut right to the chase:
"And you're also doing General Hospital. Why?
I really don't know the difference between [soap operas]. The one difference is that General Hospital has developed this whole organized-crime thread.But why a soap opera at all?
Well … I've got other ideas for my participation in this soap opera beyond just being in this soap opera. But it's been a blast so far. It was kind of mind-blowing. I've worked one day on it. It's one day of a few. But I think we packed seven episodes of my material in. 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. Anyway, I'm pretty good at remembering lines.Is it different acting for film than it is for a daytime soap?
One big difference is that you 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.What's your character like? It's not another James Franco, is it?
I don't know how much they want you to reveal.Do you wear an eyepatch?
I haven't worn one yet.Do you die?
I haven't died yet. But they only gave me the pages for the day that we shot. I don't know what's going to happen. It's all open."
Someone get him an eye patch!
We hope this isn't a long term deal for James. Otherwise, he might find himself unable to leave!
[Image via WENN.]
I would love for James Franco to F.U.CK M.E after a long day on the set. I bet he SMELLS GREAT. God, he is so fine…
Oh, James is the shit. And GH is my show. He is a Cassadine! Rich and powerful. They don't play. They kick arse. Can't wait to see him and Nicolas go at it. Helena got the hell out of Port Charles when Helena runs they all
better be scared.l He's playing a bad arse that's for sure. And, I hear soaps do a lot more scenes and is harder than making a movie where you can do re-takes. But, kudos for him trying something new. Besides this is ratings month. Novemeber, February and May! So everyone is looking and with him on many more will look. Can't wait have my DVR all set! Guess what on Soap Net you can see a whole week's worth of shows in one day! Check your local viewing area. You can DVR that entire week or watch it all in one day! Plus, they show them twice at night. Hey people have to work out here. Good luck James!
i cant wait to see his apperance. i love GH. FYI for all you GH fans…..I CAN NOT believe liz told lucky last night about her and nickolas!! then lucky shotting him! OMG! very few episodes actually make me squil and yell at the TV!
Re: Paris France – HI Paris! OMG…i didnt even think of that! do u think he'll play Valentine Cassadine? or maybe that person stalking Jason? i can't wait to see. I was trying to figure who the stalker would be. I was thinking someone from Jasons past.
When I first heard this I was pretty confused too. A movie actor transitioning to soap? I don't think I've ever heard of that. But I think as long as he looks good, film will probably have a place for him when he returns.
lol, sounds like good fun! Love this man. He's my Jimmy D.
Re: obbie doobie! – Hey Obbie! I feel the same way. Did Lucky do what I think he did to his brother? Oh, can't wait to see what really
happened yeah it blew my mind. Liz should know you don't mess with brothers! That was a tense moment did not know Lucky had in him. Wow!
Maybe he is getting ready to make a film about being an actor in a soap opera.
So exciting, GH has been getting so good lately Im so glad I started watching again
you have no idea what you are talking bout. Soap oepras are the hardest for of entertainment, and they do pages and pages of dialouge a day. I think its great the James Franco is doing this and spreading his wings, and proving he can do a lot in one day, and General Hospital is AMAZING, maybe you shouldn't judge or speak about something you know anything about at ALL!!!
thank goodness for DVR…I come home after work and enjoy GH every day. James Franco (and he's gonna be evil, with the background music, Mad World, playing in the background) it awesome. Did ya all see Lucky shoot Nicholas yesterday after Elizabeth told Lucky she had been sleeping with him? WOW!
I read an article in which he explains he is playing a soap opera actor in his next movie and wanted the experience.
hey dummy, general hospital is still on since 1960, it is the ultimate of daytime. james franco is an amazing actor of great caliber & he will be playing an artist named FRANCO who is obsessed with death & he will shake up things. he might even kidnap lulu, but yes he is obsessed with jason bc jason is an enforcer(killer) he does NOT play Valentin Cassadine, you idiots.
A HUGE "General Hospital" fan myself (don't laugh!), I'm so excited James Franco is joining for a while! He's one of my favorite actors, so this is pretty much a dream scenario.
Re: obbie doobie! – He is playing a Cassadine for sure. That's why Helena is leaving town. I'm glad you mention someone is stalking Jason. This one has me baffled. Jason has been around since he was a little boy. And everything about his life is open. Hmmmm who could it be now?
Could be that mobster that just got out. We will soon now. But, please don't mess with Jason!
Re: obbie doobie! – Obbie all will be revealed I'm sure. Never the less it's interesting as hell! Always have been. But don't fuck with Jason! Now that's a bad arse!
Re: Paris France –
Went to school and I was very nervous
No one knew me, no one knew me
Hello teacher tell me what's my lesson
Look right through me, look right through me
And I find it kind of funny,
I find it kind of sad
The dreams in which I'm dying
Are the best I've ever had
I fine it hard to tell you
I find it hard to take
When people run in circles
It's a very very
Mad world, Mad world
Mad world, Mad world
Yep this is on when Jason stalker is watching or have photos of him. Very interesting. We shall soon see!
Good for him! What's with the serious actor question over his picture? Jesus, a serious actor is one who loves to ACT plain and simple. A movie star is someone who is only concerned with a paycheck despite the material. GH storylines are just as interesting if not more so than half the crap hollywood turns out on a daily basis.
LOVE James Franco by the way. So handsome.
Leave James Franco alone! You're just jealous because he won't sleep with you, and with good reason (he'd probably choke to death on his onwn vomit).
i love gh! it weird to see him on there but love it
OMG that is one of the hottest pictures of James I have seen!
Re: Paris France – I'm lovin that song! i even downloaded it hahaha….how long have u been watching? remember his girlfriend keisha he had before his accident? she was obsessed with him getting his memory back so they could be back together. Then she just kind of disappearred. it would be wild if they brought her back! i doubt it, but who else could it be. It has to be someone from his past. everyone that i can think of is either dead or left the show!
@ PARIS. OMG stop with the Cassidine stuff!!! They have already released his character name…its FRANCO! And yes, he's Jason's "stalker". The Cassadine storyline was shelved for the time being so you wont be seeing Helena or Valentine any time soon.
Re: Paris France – Do you even watch the show???? We have seen Joey Limbo (the mobster who just got out) on screen already…and guess what? He ain't played by James Franco. Jeez
He attended NYU when my best friend went there and he was the SWEETEST GUY EVER. Such a big fan now. He is too cute.
I cannot wait for him to be on the show! I have been thinking from the start when I first heard this that he will play Valentine.
And when Lucky shot Nickolas last died I just about jumped out of bed- very exciting!
And is anyone else glad that Jonathan Jackson has returned as Lucky? I never thought any of the other actors that played him compared!
Re: jase – Child please! I've been watching the show every since high school. I am married with children now. I know every character and scene. Want to test me? I am guessing like everyone else what role James will play and who is stalking Jason. I am watching like everyone else. And child don't ever call me out again. Kisses!!!
Re: jase – Child I know that! I was talking with another poster and this all make believe. I don't care what role James play as long as he is on. Nobody is taking anything serious here. I am a serious ABC Soap Watcher. Now buzz off. I did not take a sneak peek at what is going to happen I prepfer to watch it happen and guess. We are all having a good time guessing. So fuck off!
Re: obbie doobie! – Obbie some people always want to call you out and correct you. I don't think so. Now I remember Kesiha and we both know what she and Jason did for the first time! Wink!!! And that thought
ran across my mind too! So, i don't take sneak peeks at magazines I just watch the show and try to guess. We are just having a little fun in our stressful lives. Now watch an arse try to mess it up. Right on James for taking on GH! I'll be watching before and after! Bite me! Muah to you Obbie! Have a nice day peeps!
It is only a two month gig. What is the big deal anyway.
Re: Paris France – ya who cares what someone else feels or thinks. The guessing part is the funnest and what makes the show more interseting! If someone don't like it they can kiss it then move on. I'll never buy the spoiler magazines. but i'll sumtimes check other sites to see whos coming and going lol.
Anywhoo! glad to see ur a vet. watcher like me!!! well i read on other GH posts that its a male, so that means Keisha's out.
His behavior in the last 12 months is not unlike the typical behaviors of a drug addict. He is a weirdo
Re: jase – She's driving me crazy w/ the Cassadine stuff. She also said that Greg Vaughn went on to B&B I think, yet he's doing 90210, not B&B. They showed the JF promo today calling him Franco but I still think she'd be calling him a Cassadine
Re: obbie doobie! – Thanks obbie. But I have mad world in my Ipod based on what Adam Lambert did on A.I. I know it's a Tears for Fears song. They did a beautiful job too. But, I love how Adam sings it.
When GH played it. It blew my mind. Oh, I only been watching since I was a baby in my mother stomach! LOL! Good times!
I must say I am very impressed with James. I didn't think much of him at all in the Spiderman movies, but his performance in Pineapple Express was flawless; he was the only redeeming thing about that movie. I do think soaps are a huge step down, but hey, whatever. It is no worse than Brad Pitt doing commercials in Japan…
Re: DaniMac – Son sorry I drive you crazy. Thanks for the heads up. Everyone don't know everything. That's why you simply say hey this is what is happening. No I will not mention the Cassadine name again. I get it. It;s only a show. I see someone reads what I write I don't remember what people write! I said on Greg Vaughan that i thought…means assume.
Yes, he is on 90210 he was on the original one too. Now I'm not going to let you get on my nerves because all this don't mean shite. It's more important things going on and meaner people out here. So I wish you well and please take a chill pill. We are all basically having fun! Everyone makes mistakes! I fess up to mine. Thanks for telling me. Kisses!!!
I like how open minded he is it's great that he does what he wants too.
I give him kudos plus soap work has to be the hardest work an actor can do. Most can't handle it and there are plenty of high paid movie actors today who came out of soaps and they were BAD at soaps.
It's funnny Perez, you continue to chastse him for being in GH, and YET no one seems to care what you think. Franco is delicious. I know you may have been turned on by his performance in MILK…but sorry, you're not his type, FATTY!
its Port Charles you DUMBASS, and SO WHAT!?! Some people like to take smalll breaks. why dont you stop being a Douche.
James can do WHATEVER he wants with his Career. Besides hes doing better than you!
This is probablly going to get me backk into GH!