Seth Rogen Will No Longer Work With James Franco Following Sexual Assault Allegations
Seth Rogen officially announced that he would no longer work with James Franco. Franco has been accused of sexual assault on multiple occasions, in 2014 as well as 2018. Since then Rogen, a long-time friend, and co-worker of Franco has reckoned with how to approach the difficult situation since the pair have starred in eight films together.
Comedian, Charlyne Yi, has called out Rogen for being Franco’s “enabler.” Rogen stated in response, “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.” In 2018 Franco was accused of sexual misconduct by five women.
Seth Rogen says he doesn’t plan to work with James Franco again after sexual misconduct allegations
— Culture Crave 🍿 (@CultureCrave) May 9, 2021
“I despise abuse and harassment and I would never cover or conceal the actions of someone doing it”
(via @thesundaytimes) pic.twitter.com/svV9dpx0tn
The split is not only professional but personal. Rogen claims that the pair’s dynamic has shifted dramatically ever since the sexual assault allegations emerged back in 2014. However, in that same year, he made a controversial joke on Saturday Night Live in regards to the claims that James Franco was courting 17-year-old girls on Instagram via direct message. Rogen now says he looks back on that particular joke with extreme regret. Fans are reacting with mixed feelings to the news of the split.
I’m glad Seth Rogan has publicly distanced himself from James Franco and condemned his actions. I also think it is 2021 and he should have done this much earlier. These two things can coexist
— emman or a muppet (@evemmore) May 9, 2021
James Franco and Seth Rogen broke up, don’t talk to me.
— C a s s a n d r a (@toopunkforthisx) May 10, 2021
In a 2018 interview on two late-night talk shows, “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” and “Late Night with Seth Meyers,” Rogen stated that he would continue working with James Franco, a comment he also looks back on with remorse.
Rogen did indeed continue to work with Franco for a few subsequent years until Rogen began to noticeably distance himself from the fellow comedian. This was his first time publicly stating he would officially not work with Franco moving forward because of these allegations.
