James Franco said the fallout with long-time collaborator and friend Seth Rogen was “hurtful”.
In a new, in-depth interview on SiriusXM’s Jess Cagle Podcast which will be released in full on Thursday (23 December), Franco discussed the sexual misconduct allegations made against him in January 2018 for the first time.
During the episode, the 127 Hours actor talked about his current relationship with “absolute closest work friend” Seth Rogen in the wake of the allegations.
In an interview with The Times in May this year, Rogen had publicly distanced himself from Franco and said he had no plans to work with his The Interview co-star at the time.
Rogen had said: “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.”
“The truth is that I have not and I do not plan to [work with Franco] right now,” Rogen continued, adding the allegations against Franco had affected their relationship.
In conversation with podcast host Jess Cagle, Franco said Rogen’s comments were “hurtful in context” but that he understood 39-year-old actor’s position.
Confirming that the actors had no plans to work together, Franco added: “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 [actor Dave Franco] or anyone to have to answer for me anymore.”
Five women – including four students of his acting school – accused the Oscar-nominated actor of sexual misconduct in January 2018. (Independent)