James Franco admits friendship with Seth Rogen 'is over' amid allegations

James Franco, known for his decades-long collaboration with Seth Rogen, has confirmed their friendship has come to a close following the allegations of sexual misconduct leveled against him in 2018. While promoting his latest film, Franco opened up about his fractured relationship with Rogen, revealing he has had no contact with his former friend and collaborator since the accusations surfaced.

In his conversation with Variety, Franco was candid about his bond with Rogen, which began on the set of 1999's Freaks and Geeks and continued through a series of popular comedies like Pineapple Express and The Interview. "I haven't talked to Seth. I love Seth, we had 20 great years together, but I guess it's over," Franco stated, admitting that he's expressed to Rogen what their friendship meant to him.

Rogen, for his part, publicly distanced himself from Franco in a 2021 interview, months after Franco settled his lawsuit with former acting students who alleged sexual exploitation. At the time, Rogen emphasized his stance against abuse and harassment, saying he would never knowingly associate with someone accused of such behavior.

The allegations against Franco were detailed by several women who had attended his now-defunct film school, accusing him of leveraging his teaching position to engage in inappropriate conduct. In light of these accusations, Franco's acting career came to a standstill, as he took an extended four-year hiatus from Hollywood.

Franco is happy to be back to work

Reflecting on his time away from the limelight, Franco shared that he's been deeply involved in personal work to address his past and re-evaluate his lifestyle. "I'm so grateful to be working," he said, explaining that the time out of the public eye allowed him to focus on change. "I did go through a lawsuit, and during that lawsuit I wasn't working. But then COVID hit, so everybody wasn't working. It was all... I mean, we were all kind of in it."

Franco's return to film came in 2022 with Me, You, a post-World War II drama by director Bille August. Now, with his second movie post-hiatus, Franco is cautiously navigating his re-entry into the industry, stating that the time away has been pivotal in his journey of self-reflection. "I had to change my whole way of life," he admitted, underscoring his dedication to doing the work needed to shift his behavior and perspective.

Though their partnership may be over, Franco remains appreciative of the years he and Rogen shared.