James Franco Paying Another Visit to the Hospital

Actor is set to reprise his roll on ABC's daytime soap this summer

A familiar face is going to be showing up in Port Charles soon.

ABC has announced thespian, future-Ph.D holder and all-around-person-who's-smarter-than-you James Franco will be returning to General Hospital as the mysterious Franco—yep, his character is named Franco—hell-bent on wreaking mystery, murder and mayhem.

"We are so thrilled to welcome James back to General Hospital," executive producer Jill Farren Phelps says in a statement. "We had such a great time with him and are very excited that he decided to return to Port Charles to take care of unfinished business."

And what is that unfinished business? Franco isn't providing any clues as to why he's revisiting his role and opts for a textbook answer: "Working on General Hospital was a great experience. I love the cast, writers, directors and producers. They have become a new family for me. I can't wait for the work we will do this summer," he says.

Could it be that really James is gunning for a Daytime Emmy after being snubbed last week? Nothing like a bruised ego as a motivational tool. Or could he just have some serious free time on his hands now that the Spider-Man franchise is going the prequel route for its fourth installment. Whatever the reason, summer afternoons are bound to get a little hotter.