Last Wednesday, I posted the surprising casting news that actor, Greg Vaughan, was fired from his long-time role as Lucky Spencer on ABC's daytime drama, General Hospital, so that Jonathan Jackson can reprise the role he helped make famous a decade ago. Now fans of General Hospital have another casting head scratcher - acclaimed film actor, James Franco will be appearing on the show next month in a new mysterious story arc.

James Franco: Soap Opera is “Performance Art”

Showbiz 411 reports:
James Franco, one of our hottest and most interesting young actors, joins ABC soap “General Hospital” in November for a short run. Why? What?

Franco won raves for his performance in “Milk,” awards for playing James Dean, made big bucks from “Spider-Man,” and has several big films on his release schedule. The world is puzzling over this odd choice. One thing: he and one of the “GH” actors share a manager. But that’s not enough to push Franco onto a show that oddly mixes doctors and nurses with a low-rent “Godfather” storyline. So what gives?

Franco gives minimal explanation. He tells me, only: “It’s performance art.” That’s it. He can’t even say why he’s chosen this soap over another. But Franco marches to a different drummer. READ MORE

James Franco doing an arc on 'General Hospital'

James Franco is doing a story arc on the ABC soap opera General Hospital, a network spokeswoman confirms. His first of three scheduled tape dates is Oct. 30 for an arc that begins airing on Nov. 20. ABC Daytime spokeswoman Jori Petersen says Franco’s storyline will last a few months. “The only thing I can tell you about his character right now is he is playing a mysterious person who comes to Port Charles who will be Jason Morgan’s worst nightmare,” Petersen said. Franco and Steve Burton, who plays GH’s Jason Morgan, share the same manager. “I’d to like add that there’s open invitation to any of his A-list costars to come on GH and try their chops in the soap world,” Petersen quipped. Entertainment Weekly

James Franco to guest star on `General Hospital'

James Franco will guest star on ABC's "General Hospital" for a lengthy story arc this fall. The "Pineapple Express" and "Spider-Man" actor will play a mystery person who comes to the soap opera's town of Port Charles. The recurring role will begin Nov. 20 — to coincide with November sweeps — and will last about two months. Executive producer Jill Farren Phelps says it's "an honor that an actor of Franco's caliber would choose to spend some of his valuable time in Port Charles." The 31-year-old Franco will star as Allen Ginsberg next year in the film "Howl." Associated Press