Franco’s career faced a setback in 2019 when two former acting students filed a lawsuit accusing him of sexual misconduct, following initial allegations by five women in a 2018 Los Angeles Times report. He eventually settled the lawsuit in 2021 for $2.235 million. Both parties issued a joint statement that year, stating, “While Defendants continue to deny the allegations in the Complaint, they acknowledge that Plaintiffs have raised important issues.”
Rogen, in 2021, also addressed the situation, saying he had no plans to collaborate with Franco going forward.
Reflecting on his time away from Hollywood, Franco expressed gratitude for the work he could take on despite the challenges, including a pandemic that halted productions across the board. “I did go through a lawsuit, and during that lawsuit I wasn’t working,” he explained. “But then COVID hit, so everybody wasn’t working. I did certainly use the time to, I hope, good purpose.” Franco shared that this period led him to transform his lifestyle, a change he says he is proud of.
“Being told you’re bad is painful,” he admitted, acknowledging how this difficult period was what he needed to change his trajectory.
As Franco re-engages with his career, with Variety noting several projects in development, he reflected on his past workaholic tendencies, admitting he “didn't really have a personal life.” His focus back then was heavily tied to work, blurring lines with friendships and relationships. Now, Franco says he has committed to personal growth, highlighting his seven-year relationship with actress and filmmaker Izabel Pakzad, something he was “too scared” to pursue before.