'Say goodbye to this hair!' James Franco shaves his head as he gears up for new film Zeroville

By Helen Zhao for MailOnline

Published: 01:04 EST, 4 September 2014 | Updated: 04:56 EST, 4 September 2014

He was pictured with a full head of hair at a film premiere in Rome, Italy on Wednesday.

And in the wee hours of Thursday morning, James Franco had shaved it all off for the sake of his upcoming film, Zeroville.

The 36-year-old actor posted before and after selfies, with the latter image accompanied by the caption: 'Get ready for ZEROVILLE.'

New look: James Franco shaved his head in the wee hours of Thursday morning, posting this image with the caption, 'Get ready for ZEROVILLE'

New look: James Franco shaved his head in the wee hours of Thursday morning, posting this image with the caption, 'Get ready for ZEROVILLE'

The Pineapple Express star is gearing up to turn the critically acclaimed 2007 novel Zeroville by Steve Erickson into a film.

He bought the film rights in 2011 with the intent to direct, as previously reported by Variety.

The story follows 24-year-old student Vikar who shows up in Hollywood in 1969 and attempts to make it in the movie business.

Distinguishing features of his are the tattoos of A Place In The Sun stars Montgomery Clift and Elizabeth Taylor on his head.

Transformation: The 36-year-old actor shared a before image

Transformation: The 36-year-old actor shared a before image

Earlier on: He was pictured with a full head of hair at the Italian premiere of The Director: An Evolution In Three Acts, a documentary he produced

Earlier on: He was pictured with a full head of hair at the Italian premiere of The Director: An Evolution In Three Acts, a documentary he produced

Vikar eventually finds success as a film editor as he 'embarks on a Hollywood journey that ends in both tragedy and discovery.'

Zeroville was deemed one of the best novels of 2007 by Los Angeles Times Book Review, Washington Post BookWorld, and Newsweek.

Earlier on, James attended the Italian premiere of The Director: An Evolution In Three Acts, a documentary he produced.

New endeavours: The Pineapple Express star is gearing up to turn the critically acclaimed 2007 novel Zeroville by Steve Erickson into a film

New endeavours: The Pineapple Express star is gearing up to turn the critically acclaimed 2007 novel Zeroville by Steve Erickson into a film

Team effort! James posed with the documentary's subject, Gucci Creative Director Frida Giannini (left), and director Christina Voros (right)

Team effort! James posed with the documentary's subject, Gucci Creative Director Frida Giannini (left), and director Christina Voros (right)

Having premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival last April, the film provides an 'intimate portrait of Gucci's Creative Director, Frida Giannini.'

It 'spends 18 months inside the walls of the iconic Italian fashion house, exploring the intricacies of a quietly brilliant woman whose evolution as the creative force behind the brand is as nuanced as the storied company itself.'

On Tuesday, James posted a selfie in sunglasses and a leather jacket, with the caption: 'Say Goodbye to this hair... You'll see. Tomorrow.'

This Is The End: The star Instagrammed this selfie on Tuesday, writing, 'Say Goodbye to this hair... You'll see. Tomorrow.'

This Is The End: The star Instagrammed this selfie on Tuesday, writing, 'Say Goodbye to this hair... You'll see. Tomorrow.'

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