Last week we got our first look at James Franco on the set of the daytime drama series General Hospital and today we not only get to see a few more promo pics but we get to hear from the man himself about his upcoming stint on the daytime soap:
On Friday night, James Franco traveled even farther north than Columbia’s campus for Dia’s Fall Gala at the Hispanic Society on 155th Street. He showed up halfway through cocktail hour with his grandmother. He yawned a lot. Vulture managed to get a few minutes with him, during which he told us a little about his upcoming guest roles on 30 Rock and General Hospital.
Where are you coming from?
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 and I’m assuming she liked the experience and that was why I was asked to do 30 Rock. I play myself but a very strange version. I don’t think it has anything to do with who I actually am.
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 eye patch?
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.
As I mentioned before, I don’t watch General Hospital but I’m so curious to see Franco on GH … especially after seeing these promo pics and the newly released promo VIDEO of his appearance on the show. After the jump, check out the General Hospital promo video announcing James Franco‘s debut on the show …
OOOOOH, it’s so shadowy … and mysterious. I love James Franco for doing this … I understand part of his reasoning for doing GH is to hone his acting chops … especially since production on soap operas happen at breakneck speed. I might have to tune in to check him out on the show … I can’t help but be intrigued. Are any of y’all intrigued by his guest stint on the show?
[Source, Source]
AWw this was a spoiler at the same time. Cuz they are killing my Claudia but I am excited for his role too
Love it love it love it! Thankfully I am a fan already. Hoping for a shirtless hawtoff between James and any of the men of GH (maybe not Edward Quartermaine…..)
Love the music (Adam Lambert’s Mad World) they are using for this mysterious stranger introduction. They have been hinting at his arrival for a few weeks now……
November 20th is a good day for me – a nooner with James Franco and a little afternoon delight with Edward Cullen. Sigh.
@Olivia – she died last week.
Honestly, GH has been so amazing lately and November sweeps have been no exception. I’m really looking forward to JF coming on and shaking things up.
*Squees like a fangirl* Now if they give him scenes with Lucky and Dante, my life is complete.
Reminds me of the movie Anamorph.
I haven’t watched General Hospital in over a year…but I will now just to see James. I miss my mobster cuties too! :)
OMG OMG. trent, PLEASE tell us you are going to watch! we need you to squee with us!
I’ve been watching GH since ’04 and I could not be more excited! I’ve already got it highlighted on my calendar!
O M G
!!!!
i love this. SO EXITED
ohhhhh. he is just SO SEXY.
Now if only we can convince him to stay!!!!
Ooooooo you are missing out by not watching the GH!!! :) Careful, you watch and you will be hooked for life! heeehee
Definitely can’t wait. Judging by the promo pics you’ve shared, he’s really getting around through the cast. Personally hoping the supposed “obsession” he has with Jason can end up having slashy undertones…just for the lulz
[...] Though it better happent sooner than later, before all our soap opera attention gets sucked up by James Franco on General Hospital, who just has to stand in the background of a scene to up the homoerotic [...]