James Franco reflects on life after Hollywood ‘cast out’ and his return to acting

James Franco shares how he’s changed after being ‘cast out’ from Hollywood and reflects on his return.

James Franco has opened up about his life since being "cast out" of Hollywood following sexual misconduct allegations in 2018. The 46-year-old actor, known for films like 127 Hours and Pineapple Express, took a break from acting after facing accusations from former students of his now-defunct film school, Studio 4. Franco was accused of inappropriate behavior, which led to a $2.23 million settlement in 2019 with two women who filed lawsuits.

During his time away from the limelight, Franco said he had a chance to reassess his life and priorities. Reflecting on the experience, he noted, “It was dealt with, and I got to change.” He explained that his hiatus provided him the opportunity to focus on personal growth, acknowledging that being told he was "bad" was painful but ultimately necessary for his transformation.

Franco’s return to acting comes with his role in the film Hey Joe, marking his first project after the hiatus. He shared with Variety that, despite the challenging period, he is grateful for the time off, as it allowed him to change in ways that have made him appreciate life more fully. “I’m very grateful, and I hope to serve whatever project I do,” he said.

Though Franco remains estranged from longtime friend and collaborator Seth Rogen, he is focused on moving forward with his career. He described the break from Hollywood as a "good purpose" and expressed pride in the work he did on himself during that time.