James Franco wants fans to donate $500,000 for book adaptation

Actor James Franco is asking fans for $500,000 to help fund a trilogy of films based on his book Palo Alto.

The Pineapple Express star is using fundraising website Indiegogo.com to pull in the capital needed to make three films based on his 2010 collection of short stories about troubled teens.

He is offering a number of rewards in exchange for big contributions, including a role in one of the movies for someone who donates $5,000 and an executive producer credit and dinner with the Hollywood star himself for anyone who puts up $10,000 .

Franco follows in the footsteps of Rob Thomas and Zach Braff, who have raised millions through online campaigns to make their respective dream projects - a Veronica Mars movie and a sequel to cult drama Garden State.