James Franco drops out of Broadway debut

Less than a year ago, James Franco was everywhere: The actor was building major buzz as an Oscar contender for his role in "127 Hours," was tapped to co-host the Academy Award broadcast, turned in a kitshy-hip guest arc on "General Hospital" and even put on his own art show.

But, since a lackluster Oscar performance, Franco has withdrawn a bit from the spotlight. Now he's withdrawing even further: he's pulled out of the Broadway production of "Sweet Bird of Youth." He was slated to star opposite Nicole Kidman in the Tennessee Williams play.

That isn't to say Franco is slacking off. He's currently filming "Oz: The Great and Powerful," taping more episodes of "General Hospital" and completing a doctorate in English at Yale.