Movie star and UCLA alumnus James Franco has withdrawn from a big real-life role at his alma mater in Westwood.

Franco will not be able to deliver the commencement speech he was supposed to give June 12 to UCLA’s College of Letters and Science graduates, officials announced.

“I deeply regret not being able to keep my commitment to giving the commencement speech at UCLA’s graduation this year,” Franco said in a prepared statement provided to the university. “Unfortunately, the date conflicts with me needing to be on location to begin pre-production on my next film. I wish everyone in the 2009 class the best of luck in all of their future endeavors.”

Read All About James Franco Being A Dick!

• Tom Brady On The Set Of Entourage

• Masturbation Is Good for Something (Else)!

• SNL’s Sexiest Moments

• James Franco Dozes Off In Class

• Women of the WBC

• I Need $695 Fast!

• Kid Faints At Wedding, Hilarity Ensues

What does Michael Phelps eat?

When Underwear is a Weapon

The Spears’ Mating Call

Scarlett Johansson’s Breasts Light-up Leno

Congress Vying For Porn-Free Internet?!

Douchebag Replaces Dumbass As Favorite Insult

Wait, What?

Jenn Sterger is a Jets Fan

This Is Why We Love UK’s Zoo Magazine

The Vagina List

James Franco on GQ Sept. 2008 Cover

Maria Menounos’s Hotness Level Dropped

Which Boob-a-licious Celeb Owns A Toyota Prius?

Over the last few years writer/director/producer Judd Apatow has had the Midas Touch in the film industry, responsible for hits including Superbad, 40 Year Old Virgin, Knocked Up, and Forgetting Sarah Marshall.

His latest film, Pineapple Express, starring Seth Rogan and James Franco, hits theaters on Wednesday August 6th, is a surefire stoner classic.

Apatow and crew have been banging out successful movies at a rate of two per year. So how did he come up with the idea for Pineapple Express?

“I was watching “True Romance” back in the late 90’s on laserdisk, and I thought, Brad Pitt is so funny as this pothead character but there’s only one scene. I kind of wish there was a whole movie about that guy. And then I started thinking they never have stoner movies with great Jerry Bruckheimer level action–wouldn’t it be funny if you were chasing guys who were so high that it makes it hard for them to get away? So we spent a few months, had a meeting every once in a while, kickin’ around that like and then before you knew it, we have “Pineapple Express.”

Check out the rest of Metromix interview with Judd Apatow

Summer 2008 can’t come soon enough: