James Franco and Seth Rogen, once inseparable titans of the comedy industry, seemingly no longer work together, a fact James Franco ended up addressing.
This all came following the allegations against James Franco of sexual misconduct.
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The pair starred together in projects as far back as 1999’s cult classic Freaks and Geeks, which also featured a young Jason Segel, Linda Cardellini, and even a cameo from Shia LaBeouf.
Going forward they appeared in This is The End, The Interview, and Pineapple Express together.
Why do they no longer work together?
Ultimately, the issue came when James Franco was accused of sleeping with multiple students he was teaching or mentoring.
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Franco had opened his own acting school and was also mentoring young actors.
He was accused in 2018 of sexually inappropriate and/or exploitative behaviour by five former students.
One claimed he removed guards from actresses' vulvas during a sex scene in which they were simulating oral sex.
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Two women went on to sue Franco, saying that with his acting school he had tried to ‘create a pipeline of young women who were subjected to his personal and professional sexual exploitation in the name of education’.
The matter was settled out of court to the tune of £1.7 million.
In addition to this, an ex-girlfriend of Franco accused him of ‘forcing’ her to perform oral sex on him.
What has Seth Rogen said?
Seth Rogen, initially, did not end his connection to James Franco.
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The actor told Vulture in an interview that he would continue to work with Franco following the allegations, saying: “The truth is that my perspective on this is the least relevant perspective”.
He later amended this, stating that he had no plans to work with his long-time co-star.
Rogen told the Sunday Times when asked about working with him: “The truth is that I have not, and I do not plan to right now.
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“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.”
How did Franco respond?
Franco has responded in two separate occasions to the end of his working relationship with Seth Rogen.
The first, which you can watch below, was a SiriusXM interview in which he addressed the fact they are no longer working together, saying his comments were ‘hurtful in context’.
In the interview he also admitted to sleeping with students, but claims there was no ‘master plan’.
Franco went on to say regarding Rogen: “He had to answer for me ‘cause I was silent. He had to answer for me, and I don’t want that.
“So that’s why, that’s one of the main reasons I wanted to talk to you today: I don’t want Seth, or my brother [Dave Franco], or anyone to have to answer for me anymore”.
Franco also addressed the ending of their working relationship in an interview with Variety.
He said: “Being told you’re bad is painful. But ultimately, that’s kind of what I needed to just stop going the way I was going.
“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'.”
Regarding Seth Rogen in specific and whether they have talked, he said: “No. I haven’t talked to Seth. I love Seth, we had 20 great years together, but I guess it’s over.
“And not for lack of trying. I’ve told him how much he’s meant to me."
Sources told the Daily Mail that Seth Rogen was ‘hurt’ by the interview, saying: “There is no world where Seth will be friends with James Franco ever again”.
Topics: James Franco, Seth Rogen, Film, TV and Film, Celebrity
Michael Slavin