Film Star James Franco Checks Into ‘General Hospital’

James Franco, a Golden Globe winner and the star of such films as ‘Pineapple Express‘ and the blockbuster ‘Spider-Man‘ franchise, is checking into ‘General Hospital‘ - but only on an “out patient” basis, you might say.

Franco will debut on the ABC soap opera on November 20, and then appear off and on for about two months, a GH spokesman tells me.

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Details on Franco’s role are being kept under wraps, but this much is known: His character will represent “the worst nightmare” for Jason Morgan, the mob thug played by Emmy winner Steve Burton.

What led Franco, who got his start on the prime-time comedy ‘Freaks and Geeks,’ back to the smaller screen? A source says he simply wanted to give soaps a try, and thus reached out to ABC’s ‘GH.’ That Franco and Burton, his soon-to-be on-screen nemesis, share a manager is pure coincidence.

The Franco news caps a wild sequence of casting developments at ‘GH.’ Earlier this week it was announced that Emmy winner Jonathan Jackson will reclaim the role of Lucky Spencer (a character he originated) on October 27, while Sarah Joy Brown is vacating the role of Claudia to join CBS rival ‘The Bold and the Beautiful‘ starting November 6.

In addition to the stoner comedy ‘Pineapple Express’ and the ‘Spider-Man’ pics (where he played Harry Osbourne), Franco’s credits include ‘Milk‘ and the 2001 TV-movie ‘James Dean,’ for which he won a Golden Globe in the title role.

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