James Franco Reflects On Life After Assault Allegations: ‘Being Told You’re Bad is Painful’

James Franco claimed he has redefined his life and priorities after sexual misconduct allegations derailed his Hollywood career.

The actor shared his journey of growth since the 2019 lawsuit and the end of his longtime friendship with Seth Rogen in an interview with Variety. The allegations, which centered around accusations by five women that Franco abused his influence as an acting teacher, led to a $2.235 million settlement in 2021 and spurred the actor to reassess his path.

“Being told you’re bad is painful,” Franco admitted, adding that this confrontation with his actions “is kind of what I needed to just stop going the way I was going.”

Isolated from Hollywood during the Covid-19 lockdown, Franco, 46, found himself confronting his past behavior. “Whatever had been going on with me before, I had to change my whole way of life,” he said, emphasizing that although he was no longer in front of the camera, his time away from the spotlight was instrumental in reshaping who he was. He reflected, “So I am proud of the kind of work I did during that time. And yeah, I wasn’t working in movies, but I certainly was doing a lot of work to change who I was.”

Franco described his pre-scandal career as a relentless pursuit, admitting he was a “workaholic” who struggled to appreciate the successes along the way. “Up until… the past eight years, I had a good career, but it was very hard for me to enjoy it,” he acknowledged. He now views his fall from grace as a painful but essential “chance to just do whatever private work and really change what I need to change.”

Since the hiatus, Franco has continued working in Europe, debuting his latest film, Hey Joe, at the Rome Film Festival on Oct. 25. In the film, Franco plays an alcoholic World War II soldier who returns to Italy to find the son he fathered years prior. He also stars in The Price of Money: A Largo Winch Adventure, currently released in France but not yet available in the U.S.

Beyond acting, Franco has channeled his creative energy into drawing, painting, and even co-founding a streetwear brand with friend Kyle Lindgren. Reflecting on his new perspective, the 127 Hours star stated, “I don’t want it to sound like platitudes, but honestly, this is my experience. Sometimes life delivers things to you, and the delivery system is so painful. It really hurts. But ultimately… maybe it’s for the best. Who am I to say?”

In the past year, Franco has settled down with his girlfriend, Italian actress Izabel Patzad.

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