Franco and Rogen Confirm Friendship End Amid Scandals

LOS ANGELES, CA — Actor James Franco recently confirmed the end of his longtime friendship with Seth Rogen, marking a significant shift in their professional and personal relationship. In a recent interview, Franco stated, “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.” The split comes against the backdrop of multiple sexual misconduct allegations that have plagued Franco since 2018.

Rogen, who co-starred with Franco in popular films such as “Pineapple Express” and “This Is the End,” has distanced himself from Franco amid these controversies. When asked about Franco’s comments regarding their relationship, Rogen responded, “Honestly, I absorb so little media that it really wasn’t on my radar.” This statement, while brief, highlights the complexities of their professional history.

The two actors originally met as cast members on the cult classic NBC series “Freaks and Geeks” in 1999. They went on to collaborate on several successful films, solidifying their status as a celebrated comedic duo. However, their friendship began to unravel following allegations of inappropriate behavior that surfaced against Franco from his acting students.

Franco faced accusations of sexual misconduct from several women, including students from his former acting school. In 2019, two of these women filed a lawsuit claiming Franco had coerced them into sexual situations. Although Franco has denied the allegations, he later admitted to having consensual relationships with students, stating, “I didn’t sleep with anybody in that particular class, but over the course of my teaching, I did sleep with students, and that was wrong.” The lawsuit was settled in February 2021, with Franco reportedly paying over $2 million.

Initially, Rogen expressed support for Franco amidst the allegations, stating he would continue to work with him. However, that stance changed in 2021. Following an interview with the Sunday Times, where Rogen stated, “I also look back to that interview in 2018 where I comment that I would keep working with James, and the truth is that I have not and I do not plan to right now,” it became increasingly clear that their working relationship had been irrevocably altered.

When reflecting on the changes in their relationship, Rogen noted, “it has changed many things in our relationship and our dynamic,” emphasizing the impact Franco’s legal issues had on their friendship.

As for Franco, he admitted that Rogen’s remarks were hurtful but expressed a continued fondness for his friend. “We didn’t have one fight for 20 years. He was my absolute closest work friend, collaborator. We just gelled,” he said during a separate interview.

Rogen is set to appear in a new series titled “The Studio,” set to premiere on March 26, signifying a new chapter in his career as he continues to move forward.