James Franco hopes Shia LaBeouf doesn't ruin his career in his quest to show he is an "artist".
The 'Spring Breakers' star believes the 27-year-old actor's recent antics - which have included a silent art installation called #IAMSORRY, donning a paper bag on his head for the German premiere of 'Nymphomaniac' and repeatedly insisting on twitter that he is no longer famous - are part of a bid for him to "reclaim his public persona".
He wrote in an essay for the New York Times newspaper: "This behaviour could be a sign of many things, from a nervous breakdown to mere youthful recklessness.
"For Mr. LaBeouf's sake I hope it is nothing serious. Indeed I hope - and, yes, I know that this idea has pretentious or just plain ridiculous overtones - that his actions are intended as a piece of performance art, one in which a young man in a very public profession tries to reclaim his public persona...
"I think Mr. LaBeouf's project, if it is a project, is a worthy one. I just hope that he is careful not to use up all the good will he has gained as an actor in order to show us that he is an artist."
Franco - who also compared Shia's actions with those of Marlon Brando and Joaquin Phoenix - said he understood what the 'Transformers' star was trying to do because he himself has done his best to change ideas of what people expect from Hollywood stars.
He wrote: "At times I have felt the need to dissociate myself from my work and public image. In 2009, when I joined the soap opera 'General Hospital' at the same time as I was working on films that would receive Oscar nominations and other critical acclaim, my decision was in part an effort to jar expectations of what a film actor does and to undermine the tacit -- or not so tacit -- hierarchy of entertainment."

One Direction had a successful night at the 2014 BRIT Awards at London's O2 Arena. The 'Kiss You' singers picked up the prizes for the Global Success Award and Best British Video.

Lily Allen sported a bizarre yellow ponytail at the 2014 BRIT Awards at London's O2 Arena. The singer teamed her dramatic hair piece with a matching handbag and purple sequin gown.

Kate Moss accepted David Bowie's British Male Solo Artist prize at the 2014 BRIT Awards. The usually stylish supermodel wore one of his infamous Ziggy Stardust stage outfits as she picked up the award on his behalf.

Jessie J took her quirky style a step too far as she arrived at the 2014 BRIT Awards. The 'Domino' singer teamed her embellished nude jumpsuit with bizarre lilac lipstick for the event at London's O2 Arena.

Kylie Minogue made a bold fashion choice in a giant bow-adorned dress at the 2014 BRIT Awards at London's O2 Arena.

Ellie Goulding looked every bit the pop princess in a full-skirted, strapless gown at the 2014 BRIT Awards.The singer picked up the Best Female Solo Artist prize at the ceremony in London's O2 Arena.

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley displayed her enviable supermodel figure in a striped red mini-dress as she arrived at the 2014 BRIT Awards at London's O2 Arena last night.

Rita Ora showed off her curves in a figure hugging yellow dress at the 2014 BRIT Awards at London's O2 Arena. The 'How We Do' singer attended the star-studded event with her DJ boyfriend Calvin Harris.

Katy Perry stood out from the crowd in a gold lace dress as she hit the Universal BRIT Awards afterparty at One Embankment in London. The 'I kissed A Girl' singer finished off the look with sultry eye make-up.

Pixie Lott opted for a simple white gown at the 2014 BRIT Awards at London's O2 Arena. The 'Mama Do' singer accessorised her sophisticated look with gold statement earrings.

A man has been charged with trespassing after being caught allegedly wandering the grounds of Buckingham Palace.
Victor Miller, 37, was arrested by police last September when he was caught inside the London residence of Queen Elizabeth after allegedly climbing over a fence to get in just before midnight.
Miller, who is unemployed and comes from east London, has been bailed and is expected to appear before Westminster Magistrates' Court in London, on March 4.
Officers also arrested a second man, 38, as he was caught just outside the grounds around the same time, but he was released on bail and no further action has been taken since.
Last month, David Belmar, 44, was jailed for 16 months after he tried to get into the royal estate, while carrying a knife, back in October.
At the hearing in January, he claimed he carried out the crime because he was feeling "frustrated and desperate" over his incapacity benefit being cut.
Belmar - who had admitted trespass and possession of a knife at a previous hearing - suffered paranoid schizophrenia since 2002 but was on medication for the condition, and Judge Michael Gledhill QC said at the trial it had "absolutely nothing to do" with the offences.