James Franco has hinted he had a bitter rivalry with the late Heath Ledger.

The 'Of Mice and Men' star has published a bizarre ode to the Australian actor, who died of an accidental overdose in New York City in 2008, in his debut poetry collection, 'Directing Herbert White.'

In the piece, titled 'Ledger,' he says: ''There had been a time when we were up for the same roles, '10 Things I Hate about You' (Based on 'The Taming of the Shrew'), And 'The Patriot' - Funny, you were Australian and so was Mel - You were the knight in 'A Knight's Tale'...''

The poem is one of several that allude to the 'The Dark Knight' star in the new collection, which also includes a piece written about Lindsay Lohan.

The 36-year-old actor, who also recently penned a fictional short story whose central character seems to be troubled Hollywood starlet, is clearly very inspired by the 'Mean Girls' actress despite branding her ''delusional.''

The '127 Hours' actor was furious after his named appeared on actress' leaked list of celebrity sexual conquests and insisted they never slept together.

He previously said: ''I will swear on anything that you ask that I have never had sex with Lindsay Lohan! Here's the problem: I bet you if we brought her in here and you asked her to her face 'Did you have sexy with James?' she'd say yes.

''I can't believe she put me on that private list. She's so delusional!''