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
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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.
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.
It seems like he’s trying to spread his wings as an actor. They always say soaps are the hardest work. Plus, all the actresses on soaps are SMOKIN’ HOT!
i’m really impressed that an actor with a smoking hot career would go to the “ghetto” of acting. maybe people will take a second look and see how talented and hardworking soap actors really are. can’t wait to see more of him! also excited to see marsha thomason, i miss las vegas.
General Hospital making a comeback I have to admit the episodes I’ve been watching the last couple of weeks have been pretty good. GH along with Y&R is becoming the new Passions. There taking what seems like forever to wrap up storylines and why has Sonny slept with the majority of the women on this show and Jason always gets his leftovers, LOL. But happy to see the show getting publicity and James Franco is awesome.
I CAN’T WAIT FOR THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!! I stopped watching GH about 5 years ago. This has certainly gotten my attention!
General Hospital remains the ONLY daytime soap which (if it ever) transition to Primetime would work out perfectly. It’s the only show which has some of THE best actors, and it’s no surprise James Franco would pick the show.
I can’t help but feel there are still those insane, self-entitled soap fans who post here just to undermine the show because couple Y or Z are not together.
Personally, I think Franco’s choice is reflective of how much he is open to learn. Frontburner Daytime actors have constant scripts to memorize as well as adjustments with changes.
November Sweeps have not been this good in a long while. Jonathan Jackson is back, and they’re transitioning the role quite well.
And I totally disagree with the comment that they’re adding a character with no history.
HELLO! It has been revealed by previous articles that in addition to be an adversary for Jason, he will be also playing into the Cassadine storyline…in fact perhaps even Valentin himself for all we know.
The problem with adding new characters comes down to plot. Franco’s role will be a catalyst bringing together what already seems to be a Cassadine/Spencer feud.
Not to mention, his plotline orbits around one of the last great couples of Jason Morgan and Sam McCall. Regardless of what people think of them, their characters’ timeline together is proof enough.
Kudos to both Franco and Jackson for being a part of GH.
The acting by the two lead men is horribly cheesy.
Geez, one more week of teasing before JF is onscreen! Hope his story line goes beyond the mob stuff…
Way to ruin your just-starting-to-emerge career, you idiot. I know he’s into being an odd artist-type, but who the hell would WANT to reduce themselves to a daytime soap? It’s where good acting goes to die. He would have been better off starting a drug habit.
especially GH! You can just look at the ratings to see how much that soap sucks!
A lot of ‘good actors’ started in daytime. Oscar winners and nominees. Educate yourself on the ganre, before you hate.
Everything Steven said I agree with.
YES! James and Marsha, hope they are romantically linked in this storyline.
pictures point viewers in that direction. i dont know how franco and maxie meet up? is he in the fashion industry? maybe he’s related to ethan? spinelli? alcazar? jerry? manny? keifer? uh maybe he’s keifer’s brother- what would jason have to do wih that tho? oo i hope he’s not connected to cassadines. works for z maybe? reports say franco knows dante when both were young some say franco is the son of the man dante considered as his father figure, still how does jason figure in? what’s with Co77x??? this is going to be interesting no matter!
AHHHH I’M SO EXCITED!! GH has been on a roll with it’s storylines. I think JF will be a great addtion. Thanks EW for covering the Soaps!! Keep it up!!
ya this rocks!!! ew you rock!!! you cover it all for readers to know it all!!
I haven’t watched GH for about a decade…BECAUSE OF Executive Producer JILL FARREN PHELPS. That being said, I’m a fan of Franco’s and will definitely tune in…the promo’s look very interesting…he’s in a scene with Anthony Geary’s Luke!
Now onto JFP. I really miss Wendy Riche, the EP before Phelps. Under Phelps and head writer Bob Guza, GH became VERY VERY dark. Hardly any feel good romances (except Robin/Patrick and Jason/Liz), legacy characters (and actors) either killed off or hardly ever appear(Alan, Emily, Georgie, Laura, AJ, Ned, Lois to name a few). The character of Sonny became the life of GH which meant storylines all related to the mob. Hardly any fun…no humor…just dark, violent, and depressing stories. I applaud James Franco for guest starring on GH. His story arc should bring in some new viewers (and some lapsed ones) but the big picture is…will they stick around? Daytime is in danger and the only way to save it is not a two month guest stint from A-listers like Franco. We need creative people behind the scenes who care about the show and the long history it provides, not to decimate it.
Wendy Riche needs to come back to GH PRONTO!!!!!!
franco’s scene with luke is funny. franco’s line goes something like “everybody’s so nice in port charles” and franco (reports say jf character is named franco) franco is not a good guy.
He’s working on another film with director, Carter, so the General Hospital thing will play into it. What a cool idea!
omgoodness!!!! i can not wait til james debuts!!!! the commercials rock!!!!1 Way to go GH!!!! Way to go JF!!! i can not figure out what Co77x means?? im trying so hard… how many pictures of jason are on the board? 77? c=carly? c=claudia? was claudia laying on the floor in franco apartment? it looked like her. too bad gh let gv go, he would have been great!!! anyways, nov. 20 is a little over a week a way!!!!
saw the coming attractions of James Franco on GH. Waiting for Nov 20th, a big fan of GH and JF.
Way to go. All I need is Brenda to come back now.