Seth Rogen Says He'd Still Work With James Franco Amid Sexual Harassment Allegations Against His Friend
James Franco's longtime collaborator Seth Rogen isn't throwing his pal under the bus, saying he's willing to work with the award-winning director and actor again.
The Disaster Artist star, 40, is facing allegations of sexually inappropriate behavior — including sexual assault — by five women.
Rogen Speaks Up On Franco
In an interview with Vulture, Rogen speaks up on the sexual misconduct allegations against Franco, although he remains reserved with his opinions as both a male and the actor's friend.
"The truth is that my perspective on this is the least relevant perspective," Rogen explains when asked whether the allegations are consistent with the person he knows. "I'm friends with these people and I'm a dude. All that combined makes me the last person who should be talking about this."
Rogen goes on to say that he'd be willing to work with Franco again in the future, adding that there are many people who have significant contributions to the discussion and he's not going to be able to say anything useful.
When it comes to his work, he counts a few as taking part in being a participant in the larger social discussion.
"I just try to be with the curve, not behind it," Rogen explains, adding how he thinks both Neighbors 2 and Blockers have progressive messages. "We hired Kay Cannon to direct it [Blockers] and she did an amazing job. We're hyperaware of trying to be as representative as possible in the directors and writers and actors we work with. I'm sure we could definitely be doing more to be ahead of the curve in that way, but, again, I couldn't be more aware that my perspective is not one people are clamoring for."
The Backlash Against Franco
While Rogen isn't speaking out against Franco, the 127 Hours star has seen swift action against him after the allegations surfaced.
Even after Franco's The Disaster Artist earned acclaim from audiences and critics worldwide, the film was snubbed at the Academy Awards in the midst of his scandal. His alma mater even took the steps to remove his artwork from the campus when the reports came out.
Franco has denied all the allegations, but he explains that he chooses not to speak out too much against the issue as he doesn't want to derail the movement's progression in giving people the platform to speak out.
"I have my own side of this story, but I believe in these people that have been underrepresented getting their stories out enough that I will hold back things that I could say, just because I believe in it that much," he explains in an interview on Late Night with Seth Meyers, adding that if he has to take a knock to keep the movement going, he's willing to.
