James Franco returns to Cannes spotlight alongside GF Izabel Pakzad years after controversy
CANNES, FRANCE: Actor James Franco made a notable return to the 2026 Cannes Film Festival alongside longtime girlfriend Izabel Pakzad as the couple attended the opening-night screening of 'The Electric Kiss' during the festival’s launch events.
His appearance marked another step in his gradual return to public life and high-profile industry events following past allegations, while reactions online quickly surfaced, with several social media users calling out and questioning his presence at the festival.
James Franco’s Cannes return sparks online backlash
Franco and Pakzad appeared together during the festival’s opening celebrations, where the actor was seen greeting fans and interacting with fellow attendees, including actor Diego Luna, as celebrities gathered for one of cinema’s most high-profile international events.
Referencing his past controversy and its impact on his career, social media users reacted strongly to his Cannes appearance, with one Instagram user commenting, “Don't forget what he did,” another questioning, “Who let him come back?” and a third writing, “He can’t produce the same work he once made with the team that won’t touch him now.”
Franco has faced controversy in recent years following allegations of inappropriate behavior made by multiple women in 2018.
After settling a lawsuit with two of the accusers in 2021, the actor largely stayed away from the public spotlight between 2019 and 2024.
Other Instagram users also voiced criticism over his appearance, with one writing, “We already cancelled him,” while another urged, “Stop posting this man.”
When Franco re-emerged in 2021 for one of his first interviews after the allegations became public during an appearance on 'The Jess Cagle Show,' he acknowledged struggling with fidelity in past relationships before meeting Pakzad.
In a 2024 interview with Variety, he also said he had “moved past” the controversy that affected his career, stating, “Being told you're bad is painful,” before adding, “But ultimately, that's kind of what I needed to just stop going the way I was going.”
Pakzad, who has been in a relationship with him since 2017, has continued expanding her career in film and television.
She previously appeared in Franco’s HBO series ‘The Deuce’ and is now preparing for the release of her upcoming horror film ‘Find Your Friends,’ which is set to premiere on Shudder on June 12.
Seth Rogen friendship with James Franco remains broken
However, the long-standing friendship and creative partnership between Seth Rogen and Franco came to an end in 2018 after years of collaborating and riffing off one another.
The 'Pineapple Express' actors first worked together on the 1999 television series 'Freaks and Geeks' when both were still beginning their careers in Hollywood.
Since then, the pair became one of Hollywood’s most recognizable comedy duos, starring together in a string of successful films ranging from 2007’s 'Knocked Up' to 2017’s 'The Disaster Artist.'
However, the allegations surrounding Franco reportedly created a divide between the longtime friends, with Rogen later telling The Sunday Times in May 2021 that "he had no plans to work" with him again in the future.
Three years later, Franco admitted to Variety in October 2024 that his friendship with Rogen was never repaired. "I haven’t talked to Seth. I love Seth, we had 20 great years together, but I guess it’s over," he said.
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