James Franco 'wasn't trying to diss' Bieber with spoof video

James Franco has apologised for mocking Justin Bieber. Photo/AP

Earlier this month, James Franco posted a parody video of himself lip-synching to teen titan Justin Bieber's hit song Boyfriend to his WhoSay account. The clip made the usual rounds online, but was yanked soon after - and now Franco's revealed why.

According to the 127 Hours star, the Biebs wasn't particularly pleased with the footage.

"I was asked to take it down by some people," he told E! Online during the Sundance Film Festival. "Bieber didn't contact me, but I don't think he was too happy."

In the dimly lit clip, the 34-year-old actor, decked out in a baggy hoodie and Bieber's trademark bangs, emulated the singer, while frolicking around with his Spring Breakers co-star (and rumoured girlfriend) Ashley Benson.

Franco maintained that it was never his intention to take the mickey out of the singer.

"I wasn't trying to diss him," he added.

But despite Franco's comments that Bieber wasn't happy with the spoof, a source told E! the singer hasn't even seen the footage.

Which, if true, makes RadarOnine's report on the send-up a bit of a head-tilter.

According to the webloid, Bieber and his camp "are not pleased with the mock video", because "they believe it's proof Ashley cheated on" Bieber's pal Ryan Good.

"Justin was really angry about the video because Ryan was supposed to be Ashley's boyfriend at the time and she's seen crawling all over James," chimed a source.

"To Ryan and Justin, this was proof of infidelity. And they found it really immature that James and Ashley were rubbing it in their faces."

Added the source: "Justin can take a joke. He wasn't mad that James mocked his song, he was mad as the inside dig James and Ashley seemed to be taking at his best friend."

Last year, Franco denied rumours he was dating Benson and his other Spring Breakers co-star Selena Gomez, as well as Kristen Stewart.

"I also hear that I've been dating Selena Gomez, Kristen Stewart and Ashley Benson," he wrote in his Huffington Post column.

"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, but I didn't. Not only did I not talk to her, I didn't even go to SoHo House where I supposedly asked her out on a date."

He added: "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 ass. Yikes!"

One more time for the cheap seats...

Check out the (slightly suggestive in parts) video below:

- Rumour Has It