your highness

US release date: April 8, 2011

Role: Prince Fabious

The film: Fabious and his quest to rescue his bride-to-be Belladonna (Zooey Deschanel) when she is abducted. Fabious is accompanied by his lazy brother Thadeous (Danny McBride).

Director: David Gordon Green

Trivia: The film was written by Ben Best and actor Danny McBride but Green said there was never a script used on set.

A shot of Natalie Portman’s back, who plays Isabel in the film, was digitally altered to turn a thong into a less revealing garment for the green band (appropriate audiences). It was kept unaltered for the red band trailer.

rise of the apes

US release date: November 23, 2011

Role: Scientist Will Rodman

The film: Sci-fi thriller. A scientist working on a cure for Alzheimer’s by testing it on apes decides to take an ape called Caesar home, away from the cruel lab doctors. But then, Caesar begins to mutate rapidly.

Director: Rupert Wyatt

Trivia: Franco was cast after talks with Tobey Maguire fell through. Also starring Brian Cox, Tom Felton, Andy Serkis and Freida Pinto. The filming started in July 2010 in Vancouver. The crew also went to San Francisco, California and around ’ahu, Hawaii.

The Broken Tower

US release date: Later in 2011

Role: Hart Crane

The film: An indie biography of the American poet Hart Crane who committed suicide at the age of 32 by jumping off the steamship SS Orizaba.

Director: James Franco

Trivia: James Franco wrote the script based on Paul L. Mariani’s book The Broken Tower. Crane’s last poem was called Broken Tower. It is inspired by the poet’s only heterosexual affair, with Peggy Crowley, that is widely interpreted as his death ode. The film also stars Michael Shannon.

The Iceman US release date: Not known

Role: Kuklinski’s mentor, Mr Softee

The film: A mob hitman thriller. The true story of Richard Kuklinski, a notorious contract killer and a loving family man.

Director: Ariel Vromen

Trivia: The film also stars Michael Shannon, who plays the killer Kuklinski, and Benicio Del Toro, who plays his boss, Roy Demeo. The film is based on the book The Iceman: The True Story of a Cold-Blooded Killer by Anthony Bruno and an interview footage from the documentary The Iceman Tapes: Conversations with a Killer by Jim Thebaut.

Maladies

US release date: Later in 2011

Role: Franco plays a character named James

The film: A talented and successful actor (James) retires at a young age due to a perceived mental illness. He lives in a small town with his deranged sister and his best friend while their maladies intertwine.

Director: Carter

Trivia: Franco, who plays an actor in a soap opera here, became interested in really appearing on one. The result was his guest stint on General Hospital in 2010.

Lovelace

US release date: 2012

Role: Pornographer Chuck Traynor

The film: A biopic of a porn star. The story is about Linda Lovelace (Kate Hudson), used and abused by the porn industry at the behest of her abusive husband. She eventually takes control of her life and finds redemption as a feminist and anti-porn crusader.

Directors: Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman

Trivia: This project is not to be confused with director Matthew Wilder’s A Linda Lovelace Story that will now star Malin Akerman after Lindsay Lohan was dropped.

The night stalker

US release date: Later in 2011

Role: Richard Ramirez

The film: Explores the life of southern California serial killer Richard Ramirez. Franco goes from being human to a monster.

Director: James Franco

Trivia: The producers Chris Cornell (of Soundgarden) and Nicolas Constantine promise that the film won’t glorify Ramirez, nicknamed the Night Stalker after his chosen time of attack. The Night Stalker had 30 confirmed victims in a span of 13 months.

sweet bird of youth

What: Broadway production

When: Will be staged in New York City during fall 2011.

Role: Chance Wayne

The play: Franco will make his Broadway debut co-starring Nicole Kidman in the second revival of the Tennessee Williams drama. Franco is Nicole’s gigolo paramour.

Director: David Cromer

Trivia: The character was originally played by Paul Newman in the staged production as well as in the 1962 film. Christopher Walken has also performed the role on stage.

also

Franco is all set to star in a prequel to L. Frank Baum’s novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and will be titled Oz: The Great and Powerful. This film will be told from the point of view of the Wizard, how he arrived in Oz and became the ruler.

At the end of September 2010, James had acquired the rights to Stephen Elliott’s The Adderall Diaries, which he intends to adapt, direct and star in.

Directing a film version of William Faulkner’s As I Lay Dying is also on his wish list.