James & The Giant Speech.

UT-Arlington Taps James Franco To Speak at 2012 Graduation Festivities.

Attention University of Texas at Arlington seniors: All of your hard work is about to pay off. James Franco will be delivering the keynote speech at your 2012 graduation commencement.

Really.

Franco's talk is set to cap off a night of speeches on Friday, May 11, at Arlington's Levitt Pavilion that will also include words of wisdom school president James D. Spaniolo and graduate nursing student Melissa Sepulveda Tran.

Lord knows what Franco will discuss. After all, while the noted actor (127 Hours, Milk, Pineapple Express, the Spider-Man series) has won a Golden Globe and been nominated for an Oscar thanks to his on-screen efforts, his off-screen dalliances may be even more interesting.

A thirsty learner, Franco graduated from UCLA in 2006 with a degree in English and then took a break to focus on his acting career before enrolling in three different New York City schools in the fall of 2010. He's also directed a number of films, stage productions and video clips, published a collection of short stories, hosted the Academy Awards and served a model for Gucci's men's fragrance line. Lest anyone forget, he's dipped his toes into the musical world as well.

His whole life, in many ways, comes across as one big art project, which is to say that it's often difficult to determine when he's being subversive or when he's just being sincere. It will certainly be interesting to see which side he leans more toward on May 11, that's for sure.

The graduation festivities, it should be noted, will be open to the public, too. Graduating students will of course receive priority seating.