Seth Rogen makes feelings clear on James Franco after actor said friendship was ‘over’
Seth Rogen, 42, has brushed off former co-star James Franco’s revelation about their ended friendship, admitting he wasn’t aware the comments had been made.
The dismissive response comes after Franco’s emotional disclosure last October that their two-decade relationship had come to an end.
Rogen, who is set to appear in upcoming Apple TV+ series The Studio, reportedly appeared unhappy when questioned about the apparent split.
Speaking to Esquire, the 42-year-old explained he “absorbs so little media” that Franco’s statements on their friendship ending weren’t “on my radar.”
The pair’s working relationship began on the set of teen series Freaks and Geeks in 1999 and began a decades-long career of movie making.
Throughout the next 20 years, they collaborated on numerous successful films, including 2008’s Pineapple Express.
Their on-screen partnership continued through projects like The Interview in 2014 and The Disaster Artist in 2017.
Things quickly changed in 2018, when Franco faced sexual misconduct allegations from multiple women.
In a October 2024 Variety interview, the actor expressed his heartache over the lost friendship, stating: “I haven’t talked to Seth. I love Seth. We had 20 great years together, but I guess it’s over.”
Franco revealed he had made attempts to salvage the relationship, adding: “And not for lack of trying. I’ve told him how much he’s meant to me.”
The actor described Rogen’s decision to distance himself as “hurtful” following the sexual misconduct allegations that emerged in seven years ago.
In 2018, five women, including four former students of his Studio 4 acting school, accused Franco of sexually inappropriate behaviour, which he said was “not accurate” while stating he didn’t want to “shut down” those without a voice.
Two of the accusers filed a lawsuit, resulting in Franco paying £1.67m in a settlement over claims of “inappropriate and sexually charged behaviour” in his acting school.
Franco has recently expressed gratitude for returning to work, starring in Italian director Claudio Giovannesi’s Hey Joe following the lawsuit period.
“I did go through a lawsuit, and during that lawsuit I wasn’t working,” he told Variety, noting the coincidental timing with the pandemic.
The actor reflected on his personal growth, stating: “Whatever had been going on with me before, I had to change my whole way of life.”
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He acknowledged the experience was necessary, adding: “As painful as it was… that’s kind of what I needed to just stop going the way I was going.”
Rogen addressed the allegations in a 2021 interview with The Times, stating: “I despise abuse and harassment and I would never cover or conceal the actions of someone doing it.”