James Franco writes essay tribute to Lana Del Rey

Hollywood actor James Franco has written an essay in tribute to Lana Del Rey, insisting the singer "isn't made for this Earth".

In the letter, which is published in V magazine, the Spider-Man star describes teaming up with the Summertime Sadness hitmaker to work on a project, and becoming fascinated by her.

He writes, "She has this idea for a film. I want to do it because it's a little like Sunset Boulevard. A woman is alone in a big house in L.A. She doesn't want to go out. She starts to go crazy, and becomes paranoid because she feels like people are watching her. Even in her own house. It's like an awesome B-movie that lives in Lana's head. It's about her, and it's not about her. Just like her music..."

Franco goes on to add of Del Rey, "(She) isn't made for this Earth... I wanted to interview Lana for a book and she said, 'Just write around me, it's better if it's not my own words. It's almost better if you don't get me exactly, but try.'"

The pair was previously rumoured to be dating, and late last year (14) Franco insisted the gossip was not true, telling DJ Howard Stern, "No, she's a friend of mine...We're friends... No (we didn't hook up). On my life... I would have sex with (to) her music."