AceShowbiz -

James Franco released a statement on Wednesday, October 24, via Huffington Post, denying recent rumors about him dating Ashley Benson, as well as the previous reports of him dating Kristen Stewart and Selena Gomez. He said, "I also hear that I've been dating Selena Gomez, Kristen Stewart and Ashley Benson. Hot damn, am I a lucky guy."

He continued, "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 the SoHo house where I supposedly asked her out on a date." He then added, "As for Gomez and Benson, those are [Justin] Bieber's girls and I wouldn't dare tangle with the Biebs. I heard he wants to kick my ass. Yikes!"

"They're not dating," another source also stated to Hollywood Life. "The story was totally planted. Selena's not mad, Ashley isn't dating Franco, trust me."

34-year-old James met 22-year-old Ashley on "Spring Breakers" movie set. Reportedly, the "Pretty Little Liars" actress parted ways with Ryan Good to be in a relationship with the Harry Osborn of "Spider-Man".

The rumors about them dating spread after they were spotted wandering around downtown and spending time together in Washington Square Park earlier this October. In another moment, they were caught walking hand in hand at the Los Angeles Haunted Hayride.

A source told PEOPLE that James and Ashley had been "hanging out and having fun for a while." About them recently spotted holding each other's hand at Halloween Horror Nights in L.A., a source said, "They were tightly holding onto one another as they braved haunted mazes."