Seth Rogen Addresses Friendship Fallout with James Franco

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Actor Seth Rogen recently opened up about his complicated relationship with James Franco, nearly four months after Franco’s remarks at the Rome Film Festival prompted renewed interest in their friendship. In an exclusive interview with Esquire, Rogen shared his perspective on Franco’s comments and the impact of recent allegations against his former colleague.

“Honestly, I absorb so little media that it really wasn’t on my radar,” Rogen said, addressing questions about how he felt having such personal matters discussed in public. According to Esquire, Rogen was visibly uncomfortable but not surprised by the inquiry.

The two actors first collaborated on the short-lived TV series ‘Freaks and Geeks‘ in 1999 and went on to work together in several films, including ‘Pineapple Express‘ (2007), ‘This Is the End‘ (2013), ‘The Disaster Artist‘ (2017), and more. Their friendship, however, has faced strains since allegations of sexual misconduct against Franco surfaced in 2018, reported by *The Los Angeles Times*.

According to the 2018 report, five women accused Franco of inappropriate behavior, including four of his former acting students. In 2019, two of these women filed lawsuits against Franco, further complicating Rogen’s views on their friendship. “That is all he wants to say about that,” Esquire noted regarding Rogen’s reluctance to delve further into the topic.

When asked directly if the allegations had influenced their friendship, Rogen affirmed, “I’d say yes.” He admitted that the developments had altered their relationship dynamics but chose to remain vague about the specifics for the interview.

Franco, in a separate interview with *Variety* in October 2024, acknowledged the distance that has grown between him and Rogen. “I haven’t talked to Seth. I love Seth, we had 20 great years together, but I guess it’s over,” he said. Franco emphasized that despite his attempts to reach out, they have not maintained contact.

The fallout from these allegations has raised significant questions in the entertainment industry about accountability and friendship during turbulent times. In light of his career and longstanding ties with Franco, Rogen’s thoughts highlight the complexity of navigating personal relationships under the weight of public scrutiny.

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