That ain't KFed ... it's shirtless James Franco rockin' braids, what looks like platinum grills and tats on the Florida set of that "Spring Breakers" flick yesterday.

Franco's look is allegedly based on a former MTV reality star named Riff Raff ... who appeared on "From G's to Gents."

In fact, Riff Raff -- who's also a rapper signed to Soulja Boy's label -- says the only reason Franco got the part is because he was TOO BUSY and turned it down. 

The only thing more interesting than Franco's look ... the fact that the 33-year-old Oscar nom is in a Selena Gomez movie.

James Franco wasn't just lucky to get a "D" in his NYU acting class ... he was lucky to graduate -- this according to the professor who says the University fired him for sticking the actor with a low grade.

José Angel Santana and his lawyer, Matt Blit, called in to TMZ Live today, claiming NYU was shameless in its special treatment of Franco.

Santana claimed, "I saw what every other student did during [the 3 years I was there], and I saw what [Franco] did at that time, and there's no comparison."

That said -- Santana said he actually likes James Franco ... telling us, "When he was in my classes he was a model student." Problem is ... Franco only attended 2 out of 14.

A former NYU professor claims he got the chop because he dared give James Franco a "D" -- this according to a new lawsuit.

José Angel Santana -- who taught Franco in his "Directing the Actor" class -- is now suing the University for his job back, claiming he was wrongfully terminated ... because he's an Hispanic man with the audacity to give Franco a low grade.

According to the lawsuit, Santana dropped the D on Franco for missing 12 of the 14 classes in the MFA course. No shocker, considering the pic TMZ posted back in 2009 ... showing Franco passed out at one of his Columbia classes.

When people found out that Santana gave Franco a D, Santana claims he suffered all sorts of public humiliation -- at the hands of James Franco ... and the University itself, which ultimately fired him ... something he claims would never have happened to a white professor.

According to Santana, other teachers played favorites with Franco, including fellow professor Jay Anania ... who Franco hired to write and direct the film "Shadows & Lies." 

Santana groused, "In my opinion, they've turned the NYU graduate film degree into swag for James Franco's purposes, a possession, something you can buy."

Santana told the Post, “The university has done everything in its power to curry favor with James Franco.”


10:28 AM PT: NYU claims it hasn't seen the papers but calls what has been reported about the lawsuit "ridiculous" -- adding, "It is regrettable and disappointing to see a faculty member -- former or otherwise -- discuss any student's grade for the purpose of his or her personal publicity."
 

If you thought James Franco was kidding this month when he said on "Conan" he was directing a porn documentary ... think again -- because TMZ spies caught a glimpse of Franco earlier this summer ... staking out one of the biggest porn studios in the country.

Franco was seen chatting up some of the, umm... employees at Kink.com. James is helming a project about the company which plunked down $14.5 million to move into the old San Francisco Armory in 2006.

Franco toured the joint in June and is due back in the coming months to begin filming.

Charlie Sheen just caught a break -- because TMZ has learned, the real-life warlock he pissed off last month has focused his wrath on a fresh target ... the new Natalie Portman comedy "Your Highness."



Salem-based spellcaster Christian Day -- who even runs his own little witchcraft shop called HEX -- is pissed at Hollywood for its constant negative portrayals of warlocks in movies ... and now, he's calling for an all-out boycott of "Your Highness" for its anti-warlock messages.

Christian calls the movie an "assault on taste" for casting a warlock "who hopes to deflower helpless virgins and rule the world" -- telling TMZ, "Hollywood continues to cast Witches and Warlocks as negative roles when we're the good guys and gals!"

Christian adds, "I hope people boycott this movie and movies like it so that Hollywood is inspired to release more positive films about Witches and Warlocks."

Eat your heart out, Harry Potter.

Lindsay Lohan is blasting reports that she's agreed to strip down to her birthday suit for a full-frontal photo spread in a "sex book" ... calling the whole idea "gross."



TMZ has learned ... Lohan is telling friends she would "never do a sex book" ... despite reports that she signed a multi-million dollar deal to pose with James Franco in a series of "graphic" photos for a Madonna-esque book with photographer Terry Richardson.

However, we've learned Lohan HAS agreed to a milder photo shoot with Richardson ... in a book about the "glamor and history" of Hollywood.

No word if Franco is involved in that shoot ... but it's probably a better career move than hosting the Oscars.

She stole the show at the Academy Awards last night ... and after the show, James Franco's grandmother partied her face off 'til 2 IN THE MORNING!!



Franco's younger brother walked their granny out of an Oscar after-party at Supperclub and into a waiting limo.

No word on how long Anne Hathaway's mom was able to hang.

James Franco doing nonsensical karaoke in a bar at Sundance is pretty awesome -- but doing it in a blonde wig makes it just a little more fun.

 

James Franco donned a blonde wig and took to the mic during a party at Sundance for his short film, "Three's Company: The Drama."


He looks better as a brunette.

James Franco proved he has the muscle to co-host the Academy Awards at an event in NYC last night.



The 32-year-old definitely has an impressive body of work.

We took your questions on everything today -- including Oksana Grigorieva's emails to Mel Gibson, Willie Nelson busted for weed, and Leslie Nielsen's death.


Plus: James Franco and Anne Hathaway hosting the Oscars!