'Rise of the Planet of the Apes' James Franco: Critics Are Out to Kill Me Because of Oscars

Rise of the Planet of the Apes star James Franco isn't worried about audiences not liking his new film, which hits theaters Friday. He's worried about the reviewers. 

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"Critics will be out to kill this movie and blame me for it just because they are out to kill me," he told Playboy. "Last year people were pretty nice. This is the year when people are going to have fun going after me." 

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The actor's reasoning? His widely-panned performance as an Oscar's host earlier this year, and a perception that "'He's doing too many things. Lets get him,'" said Franco. 

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But, he also admits he doesn't think it's an Oscar-calliber flick. "I don't feel the same way about Rise of the Planet of the Apes as I do about 127 Hours or Milk. It was a different kind of acting. 

Though the film's director Rupert Wyatt told MTV News he isn't worried about a Franco curse. 

"I think people are going to see this film, hopefully, for the film, said Wyatt. "Those that will go see this film for James Franco will still see the film for James Franco. I totally understand where he's coming from. Obviously he took a bit of a knock with the Oscars, but at the end of the day, he's an actor and that's his job."