If you were watching movies back in 2017, it felt like you couldn't move without hitting a project involving a Franco. James was winning a Golden Globe for The Disaster Artist, and Dave was right there beside him, finally shedding the "James’s little brother" label. They were the industry’s golden duo. Fast forward to early 2026, and the landscape looks completely different. One is mounting a quiet, international comeback while the other is currently one of the busiest—and most respected—multi-hyphenates in the business.
Honestly, the shift is jarring.
James and Dave Franco: A Tale of Two Very Different Paths
The brothers haven't shared a screen in years. Their last major collaboration was Zeroville in 2019, but even that felt like a relic of a previous era. Since then, the distance between their careers hasn't just been about different genres or roles. It’s been about a fundamental shift in how the public views them.
While Dave Franco has spent the last few years becoming a powerhouse director and a reliable leading man, James Franco has been largely absent from the Hollywood machine. The reason isn't a secret. In 2021, James settled a high-profile lawsuit for over $2.2 million. The suit, brought by former students of his now-defunct acting school, Studio 4, alleged sexual misconduct and exploitative behavior.
It changed everything.
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Where is James Franco in 2026?
He isn't exactly retired, but he isn't at the Oscars either. If you look at his recent credits, they’re almost entirely European or independent. He’s been working in Italy and other parts of the EU where the industry culture is slightly less punitive than the post-MeToo Hollywood system. He’s taking roles that, frankly, feel like the "early career" James—scrappy, weird, and far away from the Marvel or A24 spotlight.
The legal settlement essentially functioned as a soft-exit from the A-list. While he’s denied the worst of the allegations, he did admit to sleeping with students, an admission that made him toxic to major studios.
Dave Franco is carving his own legacy
Dave, meanwhile, has been on a literal tear. Just recently, at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, his new movie The Shitheads made a massive splash. It’s a slacker comedy where he stars alongside O’Shea Jackson Jr., and the buzz is that it’s his best work in years.
He’s clearly over the "nepotism" questions. In a recent interview late last year, he basically told reporters that while his name might have opened a door 15 years ago, it wouldn't have kept him in the room if he didn't have the chops. "If I sucked, I would've disappeared," he said. It’s a fair point. You don't get cast in Now You See Me: Now You Don't (the third installment of the magic heist franchise) just because of your last name.
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His 2025 was incredibly packed:
- He starred in the horror flick Together with his wife, Alison Brie.
- He took a dramatic turn in Regretting You.
- He picked up an Emmy nomination for playing a "party-animal" version of himself in the Apple TV+ series The Studio.
But even with all that success, he’s human. He recently told People he’s planning to "climb into a hole" and take a break for a bit. You can't blame him. He's been the family's torchbearer for five years straight.
The relationship between the brothers
People always want to know if they still talk. It’s complicated. Dave rarely mentions James in press junkets. When he does, it’s usually brief and focused on their past work rather than James’s current legal or personal status. There’s a sense of "professional distancing" that’s likely necessary for Dave to keep his own career on track.
It’s a weird spot to be in. How do you support a brother you love when his public image has become a lightning rod for controversy?
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The Reality of the "Franco Brand"
The "Franco" brand used to stand for a specific kind of quirky, meta-humor. Today, that brand is bifurcated. There is the Dave Franco brand—which is successful, collaborative, and respected—and the James Franco brand, which is now a cautionary tale about power dynamics in acting schools.
If you’re looking for a reunion, don’t hold your breath.
There are no rumors of them working together in 2026 or 2027. Dave’s production company is focused on original scripts and indie darlings, while James is still navigating the fringes of the industry. The gap between them has never been wider.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Industry Observers
If you’re following the careers of James and Dave Franco, here’s what to keep an eye on:
- Watch Dave’s directorial work. He’s shown a real eye for tone (like in The Rental). If he continues this trajectory, he may end up being more influential as a filmmaker than an actor.
- Monitor James’s international releases. He has a few projects in post-production that might see limited U.S. releases. Whether they get any traction will tell us if the American public is ready to "separate the art from the artist."
- Follow the Sundance 2026 circuit. The Shitheads is likely going to land a major streaming deal, so keep an eye on Netflix or Max for that release later this year.
- Don't expect a joint project. For the foreseeable future, their careers are parallel lines that aren't meant to cross.
The story of the Franco brothers is a perfect snapshot of how Hollywood has changed. Talent still matters, but the "how" of your success—and how you treat people on the way up—now carries more weight than ever before. Dave is currently reaping the rewards of a clean, consistent career, while James serves as a reminder of an era of "unfiltered" Hollywood power that the industry is trying hard to move past.