James Franco Launches First T-Shirt Collection, Directs New Short Fashion Film (Video)

James Franco continues to be one of the most controversial, fascinating and prolific actors working today.

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The multi-hyphenate actor/writer/hunk/Yale doctoral student/one-time Oscar host/General Hospital soap star, has collaborated with 7 For All Mankind for a limited-edition T-shirt collection. His capsule collection will hit stores on Sept 6, which, not coincidentally, is the date of Fashion’s Night Out, an international shopping extravanganza taking place predominately in London, Paris, New York and Tokyo, with some local LA action.

Franco's collection is designed to embody the "cool California spirit" of the brand, according to the company's announcement. The graphics on the shirts are images shot by Franco, gleaned from over 3,100 Polaroids taken during the campaign's video shoots. Each T-shirt will be priced at $89 and will include Franco's signature on the hem.

The company has also launched a 7 For All Mankind YouTube channel where Franco’s newest video, Hollywood Resurrection, and his previous fashion films such as Behind James, Le Fin, Vampires, The Old Days, Amber, Birthday, and Lily Donaldson can be viewed. Keep an eye out for these famous faces: Lily Donaldson, Lou Doillon and Magic Mike actress Cody Horn.

A behind-the-scenes video shows Franco running through graveyards, up staircases, into warehouses and noisy clubs, chasing young, scantily clad hipsters who are dancing and partying everywhere, even on a roof. James himself is being followed by another camera crew.

At one point in the action film, he explains to the actors, “We will kill them and take them down on the floor and kill them, Aaaahhhh!” and then what looks like blood (but is surely paint) begins to fly, splattering all over a thrilled Franco's face. 

Franco clearly loves a challenge. In his upcoming films, he plays the disparate roles of Hugh Hefner in the upcoming film Lovelace, and Mr. Oz in the upcoming Oz the Great and Powerful. There is a strange thread between these two roles, as both characters were charismatic carnival barkers and salesmen of their time.

Tell us: What do you think of Franco's fashion films? And will you buy one of his signed T-shirts?