James Franco Dishes on Shooting Love Scenes With Julia Roberts

By PopEater Staff Posted Jul 9th 2010 07:00PM

James Franco stars in the highly anticipated upcoming film 'Eat, Pray, Love' alongside America's biggest female movie star, Julia Roberts. Parade Magazine caught up with the actor and asked him about his love scenes with 'Pretty Woman' Roberts, his memorable stint on 'General Hospital' and why he loves school.

In the interview, the actor-student-artist is clear about his reason for signing on to the film--the opportunity to work with Roberts. "That was pretty much the reason I did it. I knew that all my scenes would be with Julia. I thought it would be a great experience," he said.

More excerpts from the Parade interview after the jump.

On his role on 'General Hospital':
"When I went on 'General Hospital' the first time, I think a lot of people were surprised that I'd be on a soap opera. So already it felt like I was an impostor, that people would look at it and think, 'What is that guy doing on that show?' But, in addition to that, they called my character Franco, so that added even more to the situation of standing out from the show in a weird way. It's hard to forget that it's me, James Franco the actor, on the show when you're watching it. What that's doing, at least in my head, is forcing a viewer to look at the show in a different way. It's pulling real life into a fictional world."

On filming schedule of soap operas:
"They move very, very quickly. I guess I didn't realize how fast they moved, but I quickly tried to adapt and I think I did OK. I learned all my lines!"

On working with Roberts:
"It was fun, she's great. She's a pro. We spent a little time together before we started filming and we got along from the beginning."

On love scenes with Roberts:
"She is very, very outgoing. But I think she'll also admit pretty freely that she doesn't love to do love scenes and actually was charmingly shy when we had to do them."

On returning to school:
"It saved me in a way. Going to school grounds me. It exposes me to incredibly smart people who are teaching all the subjects that I'm interested in. It keeps me focused where, before, I just would get very anxious about needless things."

Tags: James Franco, julia roberts

Comments

(18)

Friday 09 July

By Jeff

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The thought occurred to me that James Franco could step into the role of "The Joker" should that role be reprised in a future "Batman" sequel. He has some similar physical characteristics to Heath Ledger and he's capable in his acting ability to pull it off. Besides, he's played everything else!

Saturday 10 July

By mei

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Check him out on General Hospital. He ison there again playing a killer and doing a really good job, at least I think so.

By Anne

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As a general hospital fan, i'm so glad he's back!! i actually have never seen him in movies!

By collectsrocks

James Franco IMO is brilliant in everything he does. He is so wickedly engaging as "Franco" on General Hospital that at first I didn't recognize him from previous acting roles. I'm glad the character is back in Port Charles. I give praise to the GH writers who have developed such an intriging storyline. I'm hoping "Franco" and "Sonny" will appear together at some time. It would be awesome to see those two hot strong willed characters interact.

Sunday 11 July

By bethdebassige

I like James Franco as an actor. I can't wait to see two of my favourite movie stars together on film for a change! Julia Roberts is also my favourite leading actress of all time. I have been watching James Franco on General Hospital, he is a really good actor.

By RCA

He's so adorable and refreshing. A real actor, not the typical non-acting celebrity like most of the Hollywood elite. The celebrity, Julia Roberts, is lucky to have worked with Franco, not the other way around.

By Redhed

Quoting RCA "Julia Roberts the celebity" WHAT??? You're implying that she is not an "actor"??? Where have you BEEN?? I hope they both learned from each other and enjoyed filming together and wow--I'm impressed with Franco's attitude. Julia has always been gounded, too. Two "actors" that haven't made fools of themselves and have not wasted their talents. Good for them and I hope life treats them well.

By JayRadar

What a neat guy, and smart! He's got alot of irons in the fire, movies, soaps, he has two Master's degrees I've read and is wanting to get his Doctorate, who knew!

By happicats7

She looks like his mother. Honestly.

By Janeyre

She could be... Oh well, Michael looks like Catherine's father...

By Happicats7

She is really one of my favorite actresses. I just thought this guy looked too young for her. She has grown up. Time to find grown up guys.

By Reena

she is only 9 yrs old than him.
people obsessed with age/looks are just superficial...do you strive to be anything else??

By trish

James Franko looks like a walking corpse....I'm thinkin' drugs.

By Janice

Ha ha ha I loved his statement on Roberts. "She's a Pro". You could finish that one a few different ways. LOL

By lois

James Franco is the real deal..He is handsome, talented, brilliant and not full of himself.
He puts life into GH. Also acting on GH with his real mother is a treat. He plays his sinister character like a pro. You don't know to love or hate him especially when he gives us his devilish smile.
Thank You James Franco for just being such an interesting young man.

By tlc

As a man that hates all things plastic, especially people, I have to admit, Franco seems like a cool dude. I wish many a Hollywood type would follow his lead and go back to school.

By Heather

I met James Franco two weeks ago on the General Hospital shoot and he was amazingly sweet and kind to his fans. I loved him! I hope to my film studies lead me to working on a film with him.

Monday 12 July

By Andy

"That was pretty much the reason I did it. I knew that all my scenes would be with Julia. I thought it would be a great experience," he said.

Yeah, he read where his part included the love scenes with Julia. Smart boy! I would have taken the part, too!

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