Originally appeared on E! Online
Seth Rogen had to reevaluate his relationship with a longtime pal.
Three years before James Franco confirmed their friendship was “over,” the Superbad star got candid about why he distanced himself from the actor, who, over the course of two decades, starred alongside him in the ’90s show Freaks and Geeks, as well as films including This Is the End, The Interview and Pineapple Express.
For Seth, the decision stemmed from multiple sexual misconduct allegations that James faced in the 2010s, including several from his former acting students in 2018. James—who denied their accusations—was then sued in 2019 in a class-action lawsuit by two former students, who alleged sexual harassment, exploitation and coercion. The case was later settled for $2.2 million, though James denied the students’ claims “at all points during this litigation,” according to a motion obtained by E! News at the time.
Seth confirmed that the accusations impacted their friendship, telling The Times in a 2021 interview, “It has changed many things in our relationship and our dynamic.”
“I despise abuse and harassment,” Seth also shared at the time, “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.”
More from E! Online
And the controversy didn’t only impact their off-screen friendship, which Seth admitted he couldn’t “define” at the time. In fact, the 42-year-old expressed regret over statements he made amid the allegations about hoping to continue his professional relationship with James.
“I also look back to that interview in 2018 where I comment that I would keep working with James,” he continued, “and the truth is that I have not and I do not plan to right now.”
Photo by Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Moet & Chandon
In response to his comments, James said he understood where his former costar was coming from, though it still caused him pain.
“He was my absolute closest work friend, collaborator,” he explained on The Jess Cagle Show in December 2021. “And we just gelled and what he said is true, we aren’t working together right now and we don’t have any plans to work together. Of course it was hurtful, in context, but I get it.”
Three years later, James confirmed that he and Seth have lost touch.
“No. I haven’t talked to Seth,” the 46-year-old told Variety in an interview published Oct. 25. “I love Seth, we had 20 great years together, but I guess it’s over.”
James added, “And not for lack of trying. I’ve told him how much he’s meant to me.”
E! News reached out to Seth’s rep for comment but has not heard back.
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App