Once a 20-year best friend duo, James Franco and Seth Rogen are now just a memory: What happened between the two stars?

Seth Rogen has made it clear that one of Hollywood’s most recognizable creative partnerships is not coming back. Years after his longtime friendship and professional collaboration with James Franco came to an end following allegations of sexual misconduct against Franco, Rogen says his position has remained unchanged and that he has no plans to reunite with his former collaborator.

For years, Rogen and Franco were considered one of the most memorable duos in modern comedy. Their chemistry appeared across several successful projects, including “Pineapple Express,” “This Is the End,” and “The Interview,” creating a partnership that became closely associated with a certain era of Hollywood comedy. Their friendship extended beyond the screen, with the two actors often appearing together in interviews, behind-the-scenes moments, and public events.

However, that relationship changed dramatically after allegations against Franco emerged in 2018. Multiple women accused the actor of inappropriate sexual behavior, leading to widespread discussion about accountability in the entertainment industry and changing the way many people viewed Franco’s career and professional relationships.

When asked about how he handled the end of such an important friendship, Rogen acknowledged that the situation remains deeply personal. During an interview on The New York Times’ “The Daily” podcast, he explained that he was cautious about discussing private details surrounding the situation.

“I mean, I’m trying to think how much I want to personally share about this,” Rogen said.

The actor explained that while the public has seen one side of the situation, there are personal elements involving other people that he does not want to reveal. He emphasized that his public position has not changed since he previously addressed the controversy.

“I honestly think the nuance of it is too personal for me to get into right now. It is a very personal thing, and I think there’s like the public-facing side of it, which I’ve spoken about, and I have the same stance publicly that I’ve had,” Rogen said.

Rogen added that he has not worked with Franco for years and that the absence of collaboration speaks for itself. “And I think the proof is in the pudding more than anything. I have not worked with him in years, you know, but the personal side of it is just … it’s so nuanced, and it involves people that I don’t know if I should be dragging into this,” he continued.

The “Superbad” actor ultimately gave his clearest statement about the future of their relationship, saying, “I haven’t worked with him in a really long time, and I have no plans to.”

When asked whether he still maintains contact with Franco, Rogen answered simply: “I haven’t talked to him in a long time, no.”

The comments come as James Franco continues attempting to rebuild his acting career after several years away from the spotlight. The actor, known for roles in films such as “Spider-Man,” “127 Hours,” and “The Disaster Artist,” experienced a major professional setback after allegations of inappropriate behavior surfaced.

In January 2018, five women accused Franco of sexually inappropriate conduct in a report published by the Los Angeles Times. The allegations came shortly after Franco appeared at the Golden Globe Awards wearing a Time’s Up pin, a moment that drew attention because of the ongoing conversation surrounding misconduct in Hollywood.

A year later, former students from the acting school Franco co-founded with business partner Vince Jolivette filed a class action lawsuit in Los Angeles County Superior Court. The lawsuit alleged that students were pressured into performing explicit scenes on camera and that some women experienced inappropriate behavior during their time at the school.

According to the lawsuit, students claimed they paid tuition while hoping to receive acting opportunities, but alleged that they experienced intimidation, exploitation, and uncomfortable situations. Franco denied some of the accusations but later agreed to settle the lawsuit in 2021, with a reported payment of $2.235 million.

The controversy significantly affected Franco’s public image and career. Projects slowed down, appearances became less frequent, and the actor stepped away from many Hollywood opportunities during the height of the criticism.

Years later, Franco began speaking publicly about the consequences of the allegations and the impact they had on his life. While promoting the Italian film “Hey Joe” in 2024, he reflected on the period when he was unable to work.

“I’m so grateful to be working,” Franco said. “I did go through a lawsuit, and during that lawsuit, I wasn’t working. But then COVID hit, so everybody wasn’t working. So, I don’t know, it was all … I mean, we were all kind of in it. So, it was sort of like, ‘I don’t know what I am.’”

Franco also addressed the loss of his friendship with Rogen, describing their decades-long relationship as something meaningful that had ended.

“No. I haven’t talked to Seth,” Franco said. “I love Seth. We had 20 great years together, but I guess it’s over. And not for lack of trying. I’ve told him how much he’s meant to me.”

Before the controversy, Rogen and Franco’s partnership was one of the strongest friendships in Hollywood comedy. They first became close while working together on projects connected to producer Judd Apatow’s comedy circle, eventually becoming frequent collaborators and creating a recognizable on-screen dynamic.

Their work together helped define a generation of comedy films. “Pineapple Express,” released in 2008, became a major success and showcased their combination of humor and action. “This Is the End” later turned their real-life friendship into part of the film’s concept, with the actors playing exaggerated versions of themselves.

Their final major collaboration, “The Interview,” became one of the most controversial comedy releases of its time due to political tensions surrounding the film’s storyline. Despite the controversy, it further cemented the duo’s place as one of Hollywood’s most talked-about creative partnerships.

Beyond acting, both men developed separate careers. Rogen expanded his work as a producer, writer, and entrepreneur, becoming involved in projects across film and television. He also built a reputation for supporting creative independence and exploring different forms of entertainment.

Franco, meanwhile, maintained a diverse artistic career before the allegations affected his public standing. In addition to acting, he directed films, wrote books, taught acting, and pursued academic interests, earning recognition for his wide-ranging creative ambitions.

His personal life has also attracted public attention over the years. Franco has generally kept his relationships private, while his professional choices and artistic experiments have often placed him in the spotlight.

The end of Rogen and Franco’s friendship has become part of a larger conversation about accountability, forgiveness, and whether people accused of wrongdoing should be given opportunities to return to public life. While some believe individuals can change and rebuild after controversy, others argue that consequences should remain significant, especially when allegations involve serious harm.

Rogen’s latest comments suggest that, for him, the separation from Franco is not simply a professional decision but also a personal boundary. Rather than revisiting the details publicly, he has chosen to maintain distance while allowing the past relationship to remain part of Hollywood history.

For Franco, returning to acting means navigating a different entertainment landscape than the one he left. His future in the industry remains connected to how audiences respond to his work, his public accountability, and the lasting impact of the allegations that changed the course of his career.

Meanwhile, Seth Rogen continues forward with his own path, leaving behind one of Hollywood’s most recognizable partnerships and making it clear that some chapters, even meaningful ones, do not always reopen.