James Franco turns professor

Actor James Franco will go back to school - but as a teacher.

The 127 Hours star will teach a third year course on directing and adapting poetry into short films at his alma mater, New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, reports dailystar.co.uk.

John Tintori, chairman of the graduate film programme, believes that Franco is well-equipped to be a good professor.

"He's here to teach because he really knows something about directing that he can share with our students. He's incredibly prolific, and that comes from a real work ethic - and that's another thing to impart to our students," said Tintori.

The students might be excited, but only 12 lucky ones will get a chance to attend Franco's class.