Franco Goes Avant-Garde with 'General Hospital"

By our guest blogger, Rob Stammitti

He's been a lovable stoner in Judd Apatow-produced "Freaks and Geeks" and "Pineapple Express" and a friend-turned-villain in the Spider-Man series, but now actor James Franco is going somewhere no one could possibly have expected him to go. On November 20, Franco will begin a guest spot on TV soap opera "General Hospital." But as revealed by avant-garde filmmaker John Carter (known professionally by his last name), this strange career choice is part of an experimental film project he and Franco have in mind.

MTV sheds a bit of light on the mysterious project:

"[Carter said], 'It was an idea that I posed to him, and it’s tied to another film that he and I are working on now,' the artist said of his actor friend's guest role. 'It’s not specifically for another project, because I know that he’s really enjoying the challenge of working on a soap — it’s a very taxing job, and an interesting thing for him to be doing — but it does have to do with another film that he and I are working on.'"

The two previously worked together on the hour-long experimental film "Erased James Franco," in which the actor recreates all of his previous performances. Looking at Franco's mainstream work you'd never think of him as someone interested in experimentation, but judging by this recent development, he most definitely is--and it sounds fascinating.

I never would have pictured myself watching an episode of "General Hospital." Nothing against those who do, but I have absolutely no interest in soap operas. This sounds incredibly interesting, though, and I wouldn't be surprised if more than a handful of people tune in who are entirely unfamiliar with the show just to see what Franco can bring to the proceedings. I know I'm intrigued, at the very least.

The best that could come from this, though, is a surge of mainstream interest in experimental cinema.