James Franco on the run from lawsuit

James Franco has allegedly been dodging legal papers for almost half a year. Photo / Getty Images

James Franco has allegedly been dodging legal papers for 136 days.

The Oz the Great and Powerful star is being sued by tutor Jose Santana for branding his teaching techniques "awful" after he flunked a film class in 2011, but a Supreme Court judge ruled in April that the case couldn't progress unless James was personally served with the official court papers.

However, lawyers representing Jose have been searching for the 35-year-old actor for over four months but are still yet to close enough to him to hand him the legal documents, according to New York Post newspaper.

Lawyer Russell Moriarty, who represents Jose, wrote in court papers filed this month: "Franco has hidden from service through a transient lifestyle, layers of security, and virtual places of business with no real address."

In April, James reportedly urged his security team to prevent any messenger from "get close enough" to him.

Russell said previously: "Every time we've tried to find him, he hides behind people on the set."

Co-counsel Matthew Blit pledged in April: "We will find him, we will serve him and we will prevail."

James was given a 'D' grade by his NYU professor despite missing 12 out of the 14 classes because he was filming 127 Hours.

He said in an interview at the time that he "didn't feel like (he) needed to waste (his) time with a bad teacher" and he doubted that Jose would get hired anywhere else.

- Bang! Showbiz