James Franco: 'General Hospital' return is news to him

James Franco's return to ABC daytime soap "General Hospital" is news to the Oscar-nominated actor/all around mysterious dude.

On Monday (July 25), TV Guide reported that Franco would be making a return visit to Port Charles and the shadowy artist character "Franco" on Sept. 20 for what was described as "a long-term arc."

But at Thursday's (July 28) "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" premiere in Hollywood, Franco seemed to be unaware of any such plans.

"I will be back to 'General Hospital,' but I'm filming a movie about the Wizard of Oz in Detroit right now, I haven't filmed any new episodes for 'General Hospital,'" Franco told Access Hollywood when their reporter asked about his daytime return.

"I don't know when I'm going back," he added.

So is this legit -- does Franco really not have firm plans with ABC or is this all part of the Franco/"Franco" mystique?

ABC declined a request to make a statement about the confusion, with a rep telling Zap2it only that Franco is indeed "coming back."