James Franco has slowly resurfaced in the public eye after spending several years away from mainstream Hollywood, following serious allegations of sexual misconduct that dramatically altered the course of his career. Once considered one of Hollywood’s busiest actors and directors, Franco found himself effectively removed from the industry after accusations first emerged in 2018 — a moment he now describes as both life-changing and transformative.

The 2018 Allegations and Fallout

The turning point came when multiple allegations of inappropriate behaviour surfaced, largely connected to Studio 4, an acting school Franco co-founded in Hollywood. According to the claims, Franco had engaged in sexual relationships with students and allegedly created an environment where young women believed they needed to participate in sexual activity to advance their careers. Franco later admitted that he had slept with students, though he strongly denied that the school was designed as a “pipeline” for such behaviour.

The scandal caused a swift and dramatic backlash. Hollywood distanced itself from him almost immediately, and even his longtime collaborator and close friend Seth Rogen cut ties — a separation that deeply affected Franco, both personally and professionally. A lawsuit was filed by two former students, eventually settling in 2021 for $2.23 million (£1.67 million).

Life After Being ‘Cast Out’ of Hollywood

Speaking to Variety, Franco explained how he processed being shut out from the industry he had dominated for years. When asked if the situation felt “unfair,” he responded with a mixture of acceptance and resignation:
“I mean, it is what it is. I’ve honestly moved past it… It was dealt with, and I got to change.”

For Franco, the years that followed were not only about the career pause but about deep personal work. He described this period as a forced reset — a time when he stepped away from the hustle of constant filming and considered what truly mattered:
“I took a pause. Ultimately, I’m grateful because it afforded me a chance to do whatever private work I needed… Now that I am working again, I can just be there for the project.”

He emphasised that earlier in his career, work often served as a distraction or emotional filler. Today, he claims to approach acting with a different mindset, prioritising gratitude, presence, and personal integrity.

James Franco was cut out of Hollywood (Maria Moratti/Getty Images)

How ‘Cancellation’ Changed His Path

Reflecting further in the same interview, Franco acknowledged how the lawsuit and public fallout reshaped his entire life.
“I did go through a lawsuit… I wasn’t working. And then Covid hit, so nobody was working… I had to change my whole way of life.”

He added that although he wasn’t appearing on screen, he was doing extensive internal work, which he says is what he is most proud of from that period:
“I wasn’t working in movies, but I was doing a lot to change who I was.”

James Franco in 2025 (Daniele Venturelli/WireImage/Getty)

The End of a 20-Year Friendship with Seth Rogen

Franco and Rogen had one of Hollywood’s most prolific creative partnerships, collaborating on iconic films like Pineapple Express, The Interview, and This Is the End. Their partnership — and friendship — effectively ended in the wake of the allegations.

Though Rogen initially defended Franco in 2018, by 2021 he firmly stated that he would never work with him again, stressing that he “despises abuse.” Franco later said he was hurt by Rogen’s decision but admitted the statement was accurate.
He told the Jess Cagle Podcast:
“What he said is true — we aren’t working together right now, and we don’t have any plans to work together.”

In 2024, however, Franco addressed the split again, noting that although he tried to reconcile, the relationship appears to be permanently severed:
“I love Seth… we had 20 great years together, but I guess it’s over. And not for lack of trying.”

James Franco and Seth Rogen frequently appeared together (Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Moet & Chandon)

Moving Forward

While Franco has slowly begun taking roles again, he remains aware of the shadow the allegations cast and the scepticism that still surrounds him. Yet he insists he’s dedicated to continuing the personal transformation he began during his hiatus, saying he hopes to “serve whatever project” he takes on rather than using work to mask deeper issues.

Representatives for Franco have been contacted for comment.

Sources: Variety; Jess Cagle Podcast; LADBible