James Franco is trying to raise $500,000 to turn his book into a movie trilogy.
The 'Oz the Great and Powerful' actor is the latest Hollywood star to turn to crowdfunding to raise funds, asking fans for donations to produce a series of movies based on his book, 'Palo Alto Stories'.
The star is asking for half a million dollars on website Indiegogo to help fund a series of movies titled 'Memoria', 'Killing Animals' and 'Yosemite'.
Franco has enlisted young filmmakers including Nina Ljeti, Vladimir Bourdeau, Bruce Thierry Cheung and Gabriel Demestree to direct portions of the films, but it's not known if he will direct or star himself.
Speaking about the project in an accompanying video on his Indiegogo page, he said: "Although it is a book of fiction, it was inspired by experiences that I had growing up here. Generally I see it as a book that is supposed to touch on universal things about being a teenager, and coming of age, and learning about the bigger world."
Should Franco meet his goal and produce the movies, the 'This is the End' star intends to donate profits from the films to the Art of Elysium charity, which benefits young children who have serious medical conditions.
Donators who support the crowdfunding scheme will be given rewards ranging from a personal voicemail from Franco for $450 to an original painting of the star for $7000.
Crowdfunding has become the latest craze in Hollywood with stars including Kristen Bell and Zach Braff using Kickstarter to fund their latest movies.
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