What could have been

James Franco's Rejected UCLA Commencement Speech from James Franco

Franco pulls out as UCLA commencement speaker

Citing "pre-production" obligations on his next film (David Gordon Green's Your Highness), James Franco decided to pull out as UCLA's commencement speaker. His announcement is exactly 9 days before the ceremony. Perhaps the rigors of portraying Ginsberg and penning his very own novel got to Mr. Franco. Or maybe a ghostwriter failed to meet their deadline.

For those lamenting the Franco cancellation, here is some of the thespian's fine prose to hold you over. I think it's now safe to say that our generation has found that elusive hybrid James Dean/James Joyce.

If that's not enough, here are some excellent commencement speeches I have come across through the years:

Richard Russo (2004) - Colby

Jon Stewart (2004) - William & Mary

Conan O'Brien (2000) - Harvard

David Foster Wallace (2005) - Kenyon College