Franco 'cramming hard' for 'Hospital'

James Franco has apparently been learning up to 100 pages of lines per day for his General Hospital debut.

Executive producer Jill Farren Phelps confirmed last month that the Spider-Man star was joining the cast and would play "an integral part in a lengthy run" on the show.

Co-star Steve Burton told Life & Style that Franco is "really putting his butt on the line", adding: "This guy had 100 pages to learn in one day."

Burton also said that the 31-year-old had opted not to use a teleprompter and is instead learning his lines like the rest of the cast. "I didn't think he would use one, just because of the type of actor he is," Burton stated.

Franco, who will play a new character who becomes closely connected to mobster Jason Morgan (Burton), will debut on November 20 and is expected to stay on the series for several weeks.