James Franco Calls Gay NYT Theater Critic a 'Little Bitch'

James Franco was not pleased with the recent New York Times review of Of Mice and Men, in which he stars on Broadway.

The actor posted a photo yesterday morning to his Instagram account that promoted a positive Variety review and attacked Times critic Ben Brantley.

In his lukewarm review of the revival of John Steinbeck's 1937 play, which opened Wednesday evening at the Longacre Theatre, Brantley wrote that Franco "is often understated to the point of near invisibility" in the role of George, a Depression-era migrant worker. "It's a tight, internal performance begging for a camera's close-up."

"SADLY BEN BRANTLEY AND THE NYT HAVE EMBARASSED THEMSELVES," Franco responded. "BRANTLEY IS SUCH A LITTLE BITCH HE SHOULD BE WORKING FOR GAWKER.COM INSTEAD OF THE PAPER OF RECORD. THE THEATER COMMUNITY HATES HIM, and for good reason, HE's an idiot."

Franco has since removed the post, reposting the same photo without the anti-Brantley caption.

Asked about Franco's insult, Brantley told The New York Observer, "I hope he returns to Broadway some day. And of course he's entitled to say whatever he likes about me, as long as it's not libelous, and somehow I don't think 'little bitch' qualifies."

For tickets and more information on Of Mice and Men, which also stars Chris O'Dowd and Leighton Meester, visit the show's website.