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Seth Rogen Stays Firm: No Plans to Re-team with James Franco After Sexual Misconduct Settlement
When the 2021 settlement that closed a class‑action lawsuit against James Franco for sexual misconduct hit the headlines, the ripple reached even the comedy duo that once shared the screen.
In a June 13 interview with the New York Times, Seth Rogen made it clear that he will not work with Franco again. “I haven’t worked with him in a really long time and I have no plans to,” he said, adding that the two have not spoken in years. The comment echoed a stance Rogen has held since the 2021 settlement, which paid $2.2 million to five women—including former students of Franco’s Studio 4 acting school—who accused him of misconduct in 2018.
Rogen and Franco first crossed paths on the short‑lived NBC series Freaks and Geeks (1999–2000). Their partnership blossomed into a string of comedy hits: Pineapple Express (2008), This Is the End (2013), Sausage Party (2016) and the biographical drama The Disaster Artist (2017). Franco’s portrayal of Tommy Wiseau earned him a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy.
The allegations that surfaced in 2018 led to a lawsuit that, while settling without an admission of guilt, marked a turning point for both actors. Rogen’s stance was reaffirmed in a 2024 interview with The London Times, where he said, “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.” He reiterated that he has no intention of collaborating with Franco again.
Franco has acknowledged the end of their friendship. In a 2024 interview with Newsweek, he stated, “I haven’t talked to Seth. I love Seth, we had 20 great years together, but I guess it’s over.” He also confirmed that he has not spoken to Rogen in a long time.
The split mirrors a broader trend that emerged after the MeToo movement. Hollywood has seen numerous high‑profile collaborations dissolve when allegations of misconduct surface. Rogen’s public position reflects a growing expectation that professional relationships be weighed against personal conduct.
As of now, there are no reports of Rogen and Franco working together on any project. Rogen continues to produce his own ventures, including the Apple TV+ series The Studio, while Franco remains active in film and television but has not indicated a desire to reconnect with his former collaborator.
The situation underscores the lasting impact of the 2021 settlement on Franco’s professional relationships and the wider conversation about accountability in the entertainment industry.
In a June 13 interview with the New York Times, Seth Rogen made it clear that he will not work with Franco again. “I haven’t worked with him in a really long time and I have no plans to,” he said, adding that the two have not spoken in years. The comment echoed a stance Rogen has held since the 2021 settlement, which paid $2.2 million to five women—including former students of Franco’s Studio 4 acting school—who accused him of misconduct in 2018.
Rogen and Franco first crossed paths on the short‑lived NBC series Freaks and Geeks (1999–2000). Their partnership blossomed into a string of comedy hits: Pineapple Express (2008), This Is the End (2013), Sausage Party (2016) and the biographical drama The Disaster Artist (2017). Franco’s portrayal of Tommy Wiseau earned him a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy.
The allegations that surfaced in 2018 led to a lawsuit that, while settling without an admission of guilt, marked a turning point for both actors. Rogen’s stance was reaffirmed in a 2024 interview with The London Times, where he said, “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.” He reiterated that he has no intention of collaborating with Franco again.
Franco has acknowledged the end of their friendship. In a 2024 interview with Newsweek, he stated, “I haven’t talked to Seth. I love Seth, we had 20 great years together, but I guess it’s over.” He also confirmed that he has not spoken to Rogen in a long time.
The split mirrors a broader trend that emerged after the MeToo movement. Hollywood has seen numerous high‑profile collaborations dissolve when allegations of misconduct surface. Rogen’s public position reflects a growing expectation that professional relationships be weighed against personal conduct.
As of now, there are no reports of Rogen and Franco working together on any project. Rogen continues to produce his own ventures, including the Apple TV+ series The Studio, while Franco remains active in film and television but has not indicated a desire to reconnect with his former collaborator.
The situation underscores the lasting impact of the 2021 settlement on Franco’s professional relationships and the wider conversation about accountability in the entertainment industry.