LOS ANGELES — Actor James Franco said he has dropped a plan to give a commencement speech at the University of California, Los Angeles, a move that might have been prompted by pressure from students.
Franco issued a statement saying he canceled his June 12 appearance because of conflicts with preproduction demands for his next film. However, the “Pineapple Express” star had been the object of opposition from students.
“The problem with him as a speaker comes down to the fact he was a peer for so many of us,” said UCLA senior Erin Moore.
Franco, 31, enrolled at UCLA in 1996 and graduated last year with a degree in creative writing. He would have been the youngest person and most recent graduate to deliver a commencement speech at UCLA.
UCLA announced on its website that Franco would be replaced by Linkin Park lead guitarist and UCLA alumnus Brad Delson, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in communication studies in 1999. The Associated Press
