James Franco reveals his 20-year friendship with Seth Rogen got 'over' after misconduct allegations

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: James Franco, 46, and Seth Rogen, 42, Hollywood's celebrated duo known for delivering comedic gold in films like 'Pineapple Express' and 'The Interview,' no longer share the bond that once defined two decades of collaboration and friendship.

The fracture reportedly emerged following sexual misconduct allegations against Franco in 2018, a rift that both friends have now publicly acknowledged.

James Franco says friendship with Seth Rogen is ‘over’ 

James Franco, who recently opened up while promoting his new film 'Hey Joe', shared his heartbreak over the end of his friendship with Seth Rogen.

“I haven’t talked to Seth. I love Seth; we had 20 great years together, but I guess it’s over,” he revealed to Variety. Noting how significant the friendship had been, Franco added, “And not for lack of trying. I’ve told him how much he’s meant to me.”

Insights into James Franco and Seth Rogen's two-decade-old friendship

The pair’s history dates back to their early days on 'Freaks and Geeks' in 1999, where they first collaborated and laid the foundation for what would become an iconic on-screen chemistry in several projects. But Rogen, following the accusations against Franco, took a firm stance.

In 2021, during an interview with the Sunday Times, Rogen opened up about why he felt compelled to professionally distance himself. “What I can say is that I despise abuse and harassment and I would never cover or conceal the actions of someone doing it, or knowingly put someone in a situation where they were around someone like that,” Rogen said, making clear his views on the allegations.

James Franco reflects on transformative hiatus following lawsuit and life-changing self-reflection

James Franco’s fall from grace began when former students at his acting school accused him of misconduct, alleging that he used his now-closed film school as a setting for inappropriate behavior directed at female students.

In 2019, the 'Spider Man' actor agreed to a settlement, but the damage was done; his acting career paused as he took a step back from the limelight for nearly four years.

Reflecting on this hiatus, Franco described the break as transformative. “I’m so grateful to be working. I did go through a lawsuit, and during that lawsuit, I wasn’t working. But then COVID hit, so everybody wasn’t working. So, I don’t know, it was all. I mean, we were all kind of in it. So it was sort of like, ‘I don’t know what I am,’” he admitted in the interview.

During his absence from Hollywood, Franco focused on self-improvement. He revealed that he used his time away for what he hoped was a “good purpose.”

“Whatever had been going on with me before, I had to change my whole way of life,” the actor shared. “So I am proud of the kind of work I did during that time. And yeah, I wasn’t working in movies, but I certainly was doing a lot of work to change who I was.”