You remember that window between 2012 and 2017 when it felt like you couldn't walk into a movie theater without seeing a Franco? They were everywhere. James was the eccentric auteur-meets-academic, and Dave was the sharp, fast-talking younger brother holding his own in massive blockbusters. They finally collided in The Disaster Artist, a movie that basically served as a high-budget home movie for the family.
But then, things got quiet. Really quiet.
If you've been looking for James Franco and brother Dave lately, you'll notice the red carpets look a lot different. The "Franco Brother" brand, once a powerhouse of Hollywood synergy, has effectively dissolved into three very distinct, very separate lives. There is no more joint production company. No more shared interviews. Honestly, they’re living in completely different worlds now.
The Silence Between James and Dave
For years, Dave was the "little brother" trying to outrun a shadow. He actually spent the first decade of his career refusing to work with James. He wanted to prove he wasn't just a beneficiary of nepotism. Then came 2017. They did The Disaster Artist, it was a critical darling, and it seemed like they’d finally reached a place where they could be peers.
That didn't last.
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When the 2018 allegations of sexual misconduct hit James, everything shifted. While Dave hasn't publicly trashed his brother—he’s kept a pretty disciplined silence, actually—the professional umbilical cord was cut. While James was settling a $2.2 million lawsuit with former students of his Studio 4 acting school, Dave was busy rebranding.
Take a look at Dave’s recent work. He’s not doing the "Franco-style" experimental indies anymore. He’s directing horror like The Rental and starring in high-octane sequels like Now You See Me: Now You Don’t (releasing on 4K this February 2026). He’s still incredibly close with Seth Rogen, too. That’s the awkward part. Rogen famously cut ties with James, saying he "despises abuse and harassment" and has no plans to work with him again. Yet, Dave and Rogen are still collaborators, recently working together on the Apple TV+ series The Studio. It’s a clear signal: Dave kept the friends, but James lost the circle.
What Happened to James?
James is still around, but he’s not the A-lister he used to be. He’s basically become a European indie actor.
After the settlement in 2021, where he admitted to sleeping with students and acknowledged a massive power imbalance, the Hollywood calls stopped. He’s been honest about his sex addiction since then, but the "comeback" hasn't really happened in the U.S. Instead, he’s been filming projects in Italy and Greece. He was recently spotted at the Taormina Film Festival in mid-2025. He’s still acting, but the scale has shrunk. It's a far cry from the days of Spider-Man and Oscar nominations.
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Tom Franco: The "Middle" Brother’s Quiet Empire
Everyone forgets about Tom. People think there are only two, but Tom is arguably the one living the most "Franco" life of them all—just without the paparazzi.
While his brothers were fighting for screen time, Tom was building the Firehouse Art Collective in the Bay Area. He’s a sculptor. He’s an "assemblage artist." Basically, he takes junk and turns it into weird, beautiful installations.
Kinda interestingly, Tom is the only one who seems to maintain a functional creative bridge with James. They did a project called "Pipe Brothers" where they carved massive sewage pipes into art. Tom’s world is about community spaces and Richmond art galleries, not box office numbers. In 2026, he’s still running his collective, which has expanded to multiple locations across California and even into Nevada. He’s the glue that doesn't care about the limelight.
Where They Stand Today
If you’re looking for a reunion, don't hold your breath. The dynamic is fractured.
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- Dave has successfully navigated the "nepo-brother" trap by distancing himself from the controversy. He’s a director and a leading man in his own right now.
- James is an outlier, working on the fringes of the industry and dealing with the long-term fallout of his reputation.
- Tom remains the eccentric artist, largely unaffected by the Hollywood drama because he never really lived in that world anyway.
The reality of the James Franco and brother Dave relationship is that they aren't a package deal anymore. Dave recently mentioned in an interview that James is "supportive" from a distance, but the days of them sharing a screen are over.
If you're following their careers, the best way to keep track is to look at their specific niches. Follow Dave for mainstream thrillers and directing news, and keep an eye on international film festival circuits if you're looking for James's latest indie projects. For a more grounded look at the family's creative roots, checking out the Firehouse Art Collective's upcoming shows in Berkeley or Oakland is your best bet to see what Tom is building.
Next Steps for You:
- Audit the Filmography: If you want to see the last time they were truly "in sync," watch The Disaster Artist. It’s effectively the final chapter of their professional partnership.
- Check the 2026 Release Calendar: Dave Franco's Now You See Me: Now You Don't is the major release to watch this year if you're following the younger brother's trajectory.
- Explore the Art: Visit the Roll Up Project or the Firehouse Art Collective website to see Tom’s latest "California Funk" sculptures; it’s a side of the family most people never see.