James Franco laughs off new romance rumours

James Franco has laughed off rumors he's dating Pretty Little Liars star Ashley Benson - and every other young actress in Hollywood.

The actor first sparked reports of a romance with Ashley Benson after the couple was spotted walking together through Washington Square Park in New York City earlier this month (Oct12), and they were also seen holding hands in Los Angeles last week (ends21Oct12).

However, James Franco has dismissed speculation Benson is his new girlfriend, and takes a swipe at ongoing gossip linking him to his female peers, including Kristen Stewart and Selena Gomez.

In an article for The Huffington Post, he writes, "I... hear that I've been dating Selena Gomez, Kristen Stewart and Ashley Benson. Hot damn, am I a lucky guy. I wish I had actually gotten closer than the 13th row of the theater in Toronto where Kristen gave her On the Road Q and A (question and answer session), but I didn't; not only did I not talk to her, I didn't even go to the SoHo house where I supposedly asked her out on a date.

"As for Gomez and Benson, those are Bieber's girls and I wouldn't dare tangle with the Biebs. I heard he wants to kick my a**. Yikes!"